108 Names of Shiva with their Meanings (2024)

Lord Shiva, the auspicious and supreme being in Hinduism, has numerous names that reflect his divinity. Referred to as the ‘Great God’ or Mahadeva, he possesses complex personality traits ranging from an ascetic yogi to a fierce destroyer. His various names bring forth different facets of his limitless nature. In this article, we will take a look at the many names of Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva

1. Lord Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism and part of the Hindu Trinity (Trimurti) along with Brahma and Vishnu.

2. He is known as the destroyer, transformer, and regenerator of the universe and all life.

3. Shiva is often depicted with a third eye on his forehead symbolizing his infinite wisdom and spiritual power.

4. His most distinctive traits are his long matted hair, a crescent moon adorning his head, the holy river Ganga flowing from his hair locks, a garland of rudraksha beads around his neck, and snakes coiled around his upper arms and neck.

5. He is often shown carrying a trident (Trishul) and a small hand drum (damaru) used for cosmic rhythms of creation and destruction.

6. Shiva is associated with asceticism, yogic powers, and the Himalayas where he is said to reside with his consort Parvati.

7. He is considered the lord of dance and arts (Nataraja) with his iconic cosmic dance representing the dynamism of the universe.

8. Key Shaivite temples are located in places like Varanasi, Somnath, Dwarka, Gokarn, Kedarnath, Amarnath, and many others across India.

9. Shiva is worshipped in the aniconic form of the Lingam which symbolizes the infinite and indestructible essence of existence.

10. Major festivals celebrating Shiva include Maha Shivaratri, Thai Pusam, Chithrai, and others across the Hindu calendar year.

Shiva is revered as the embodiment of supreme consciousness, destroyer of evil, protector of the righteous, lord of fertility and life, and one of the most complex and powerful deities in Hinduism.

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108 names of Lord Shiva:

1. Shiva – The Auspicious One

2. Mahadeva – The Great God

3. Ishvara – The Supreme Lord

4. Maheshvara – The Great Lord

5. Linga – The Symbolic Form

6. Nataraja – The Lord of Dance

7. Pashupatinath – The Lord of Animals

8. Bhairava – The Terrible One

9. Ardhanari – The Lord Who is Half Woman

10. Chandrashekhara – The Lord with the Moon as His Crest

11. Somaskanda – The Lord with Uma and Skanda

12. Neelakantha – The Blue-throated One

13. Trilochan – The Three-eyed One

14. Vrishabhadhvaja – The Lord with the Bull as His Emblem

15. Vrisharudha – The Lord Riding a Bull

16. Khatvanga – The Lord with a Staff in His Hand

17. Gangadhara – The Bearer of the Ganges

18. Virupaksha – The Lord with a Deformed Eye

19. Dandapani – The Lord with a Staff in His Hand

20. Sthanu – The Immovable One

21. Shambhu – The Giver of Happiness

22. Ishana – The Ruler

23. Pinaki – The Bearer of the Bow

24. Mrityunjaya – The Conqueror of Death

25. Hara – The Remover of Obstacles

26. Shankara – The Bestower of Happiness

27. Sadashiva – The Eternal Shiva

28. Sureshvara – The Lord of the Gods

29. Nilakantha – The Blue-throated One

30. Kapalina – The Lord with a Skull

31. Vyomaksha – The Lord with Eyes like the Sky

32. Digambara – The Lord Clad in Space

33. Mahakala – The Lord of Time

34. Amriteshvara – The Immortal Lord

35. Kedara – The Lord of the Kedar Region

36. Parabrahman – The Supreme Brahman

37. Rudra – The Terrible One

38. Giridhara – The Bearer of the Mountain

39. Shulini – The Lord with a Trident

40. Dakshinamurthy – The Lord Facing South

41. Tripurantaka – The Destroyer of the Three Cities

42. Chandrashekhar – The Lord with the Moon as His Crest

43. Dhurjati – The Lord with Matted Locks

44. Vishveshvara – The Lord of the Universe

45. Mahesha – The Great Lord

46. Sarveshvara – The Lord of All

47. Bhutesha – The Lord of All Beings

48. Omkara – The Lord Whose Mantra is Om

49. Avyayatma – The Imperishable Soul

50. Parameshvara – The Supreme Lord

51. Paramatma – The Supreme Soul

52. Parashakti – The Supreme Power

53. Parameshtha – The Supreme Abode

54. Ananta – The Infinite One

55. Achyuta – The Imperishable One

56. Anadi – The One Without Beginning

57. Ananta – The Endless One

58. Avyakta – The Unmanifest One

59. Ajara – The Ageless One

60. Atman – The Soul

61. Kala – Time

62. Kalakala – The Lord of Time

63. Kalarupa – The Form of Time

64. Kalantaka – The Destroyer of Time

65. Kaladhara – The Bearer of Time

66. Kalagni – The Fire of Time

67. Kaladhrik – The Upholder of Time

68. Kaladhara – The Support of Time

69. Kalamaya – The Embodiment of Time

70. Kalarupi – The Form of Time

71. Kalanala – The Fire of Time

72. Kalakshaya – The Destroyer of Time

73. Kalakshara – The Imperishable Time

74. Kalakalita – The Beloved of Time

75. Kalajna – The Knower of Time

76. Kalaghana – The Dense Time

77. Kalaguru – The Teacher of Time

78. Kalakara – The Creator of Time

79. Kalakarana – The Cause of Time

80. Kaladhyaksha – The Overseer of Time

81. Kaladhara – The Bearer of Time

82. Kalamartanda – The Sun of Time

83. Kalavahana – The Carrier of Time

84. Kalavasana – The Dweller of Time

85. Kalavibhaga – The Divider of Time

86. Kalavichara – The Wanderer of Time

87. Kalavishrama – The Rest of Time

88. Kalavishvambhara – The Sustainer of Time

89. Kalavigraha – The Body of Time

90. Kalavijaya – The Conqueror of Time

91. Kalavihara – The Sportive in Time

92. Kalavesha – The Garb of Time

93. Kalavidhi – The Law of Time

94. Kalavyuha – The Array of Time

95. Kalashakti – The Power of Time

96. Kalasambhava – The Origin of Time

97. Kalasiddhi – The Perfection of Time

98. Kalasadhaka – The Accomplisher of Time

99. Kalasankalpa – The Will of Time

100. Kalasankhya – The Number of Time

101. Kalasarira – The Body of Time

102. Kalasarva – The All-Pervading Time

103. Kalasthiti – The Abode of Time

104. Kalahara – The Remover of Time

105. Kalahanta – The Destroyer of Time

106. Kalanidhi – The Treasure of Time

107. Kalanidhi – The Ocean of Time

108. Kalaraja – The King of Time

Real name is Mahadeva

The Shiva Purana mentions Mahadeva as the original name of Lord Shiva in the early Vedic period. All other names emerged later.

Mahadeva means “Great God” or “Highest God” indicating the supreme position of Lord Shiva over all other gods and divinities.

The name Mahadeva emphasizes Lord Shiva’s greatest aspects – he is the greatest yogi, ascetic, lord of animals, cause of delusion, merciful one, creator and destroyer of the universe.

Many Hindu philosophical schools like Shaivism, Shaktism, Advaita Vedanta, Shiva-Buddhism consider Mahadeva as the highest and supreme Parabrahman or absolute reality.

Rig Veda verse 1.114.5 mentions “Mahadevanam Patim” meaning Lord of the Mahadevas indicating his primacy over other gods.

19 Avatars or Incarnations of Lord Shiva According to Hindu Scriptures:

1. Piplaad Avatar – Born to sage Dadhichi and Piplaad flower, killed the evil king Vena out of krodha
2. Nandi Avatar – Born as bull Nandi, carrier of Lord Shiva and gatekeeper of Kailasha
3. Veerbhadra Avatar – Born from Shiva’s rage to destroy Daksha’s yajna and beheaded Daksha
4. Bhairava Avatar – Manifested as Bhairava to protect sages and cut the fifth head of Brahma
5. Ashwatthama Avatar – Born as Dronacharya’s son to carry out his revenge against the Pandavas
6. Sharabha Avatar – To control Narasimha’s fury, Shiva incarnated as Sharabha, a terrifying beast
7. Grihapati Avatar – To teach lessons to the Seven Sages, Shiva manifested as their Grihapati
8. Durvasa Avatar – Incarnation of Shiva born from the wrath of Shiva and Parvati, known for his anger
9. Hanuman Avatar – Eleventh Rudra avatar, appeared as Hanuman to help Lord Rama in Ramayana
10. Rishabh Avatar – To spread Jainism, Shiva incarnated as Rishabh, the first Tirthankara
11. Yatinath Avatar – Taught lessons on austerity and values of renunciation to the Sapta Rishis
12. Krishna Darshan Avatar – Blessed the boy who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva
13. Bhikshuvarya Avatar – Roamed as a naked beggar to show importance of renunciation to the world
14. Sureshwar Avatar – Preached about the principles of Vedanta and Shaivism
15. Keerat Avatar – Spread the message of female education in a society of gender inequality
16. Sunatnartak Avatar – Defeated learned dancers who ridiculed Nataraja’s dance poses
17. Brahmacaari Avatar – Showcased the importance of celibacy, abstinence and the bachelor tradition
18. Yaksheshwar Avatar – Gave salvation to the intriguing Yakshas after passing their test
19. Raudra Avatar – Will destroy the world in a terrifying Rudra form at end of Kali Yuga

108 Names of Lord Shiva in Hindi

1. शिव – मंगलकारी

2. महादेव – सबसे महान देवता

3. महेश्वर – सभी देवताओं का स्वामी

4. शम्भु – कल्याणकारी

5. ईशान – सृष्टि और विनाश का कर्ता

6. ईश – सर्वोपरि शासक

7. भैरव – भयंकर

8. विश्वनाथ – ब्रह्मांड का स्वामी

9. विश्वेश्वर – जगत का ईश्वर

10. नीलकंठ – नीले गले वाला

11. परमेश्वर – सर्वोच्च ईश्वर

12. विरूपाक्ष – विष्णु का त्याग करने वाला

13. वैद्यनाथेश्वर – चिकित्सकों का स्वामी

14. कालकाल – समय का अधिपति

15. भीमशंकर – भयानक शंकर

16. निललोहित – नील नितम्ब से सुशोभित

17. जटाधर – जटाओं से युक्त

18. कपर्दिन – वासना से मुक्त

19. सोमशेखर – चंद्रमा का स्वामी

20. सूक्ष्मतनु – सूक्ष्म देह वाले

21. जलसंघ – जल तत्व का अधिपति

22. अंधकासुरान्दन – अंधक असुर का नाशकर्ता

23. गंगाधर – गंगा का धारक

24. सीतिकंठ – पार्वती जी का पति

25. भव – भव का हरण करने वाला

26. भौलेनाथ – सिद्धियों का दाता

27. पुराण – पुराणों का वर्णक

28. जुष्मन्तो – यश की प्राप्ति कराने वाला

29. भूतपति – प्रेतों का स्वामी

30. खंडपरशु – खंड का परशु (बर्छी) लेने वाला

31. हरिकेश – देवताओं का स्वामी

32. गंगासागर – गंगा का मूल स्रोत

33. कालभैरव – भयानक काल रूप

34. जगतीश्य – जगत का भगवान

35. देवदेव – देवताओं का देवता

36. गणग्रा – गणों का नेता

37. श्रीगुरु – मार्गदर्शन करने वाला

38. सदाशिव – सदैव शिवमय

39. योगेश्वर – योगियों का ईश्वर

40. भस्मंगराग – भस्म हुए कामदेव से उत्पन्न रंग

41. गजारि – गजराज का स्वामी

42. लिंगराज – शिवलिंग का स्वामी

43. सुराग्रह – देवताओं का गुरु

44. दशभुज – दस भुजाओं वाला

45. शूलपाणि – त्रिशूल धारी

46. उमापति – पार्वती के पति

47. आशुतोष – आसानी से प्रसन्न होने वाला

48. शिवप्रद – शिव-प्रदान करने वाला

49. सागर्धर – समुद्र में रहने वाला

50. कीर्तिवास – महिमा से निवास करने वाला

51. वरद – वरदान देने वाला

52. त्र्यक्षण – तीन नेत्रों वाला

53. सेतुबंध – सेतुबंधन करने वाला

54. वाचस्पति – वाणी का ईश्वर

55. अपराजित – अजेय

56. हर – हरन करने वाला

57. विश्वरूप – सारे ब्रह्मांड का रूप

58. कपाली – कपाल धारण करने वाला

59. कमरी – कमर में जटा धारण करने वाला

60. शुक – शुक्राचार्य

61. ब्रह्मचारी – ब्रह्मचर्य का पालन करने वाला

62. व्योमकेश – आकाश के समान केश

63. महासेनानी – महान सेनापति

64. चारुविक्रम – मनोहारी विजय

65. रुद्र – रोष का देवता

66. भगनेत्रभिद् – भगवान के नेत्रों का विघ्न करने वाला

67. अव्यक्तलक्षण – अव्यक्त स्वरूप वाला

68. अंधकारी – अंधकारमय

69. गंगाधर – गंगा का प्रवाहक

70. आशुतोष – शीघ्र प्रसन्न होने वाला

71. सहस्राक्ष – हजार नेत्र वाला

72. सहस्रपात् – हजार पैर वाला

73. देवेश – देवों का भगवान्

74. पितृपति – पितरों का स्वामी

75. अभितपन – रक्षक

76. गॊधागेश – पृथ्वी का अधिपति

77. सीतिकंठ – पार्वती का पति

78. शिवप्रिय – शिव के प्रिय

79. उग्रयोगेश्वर – भयंकर योगी

80. अनघ – पाप रहित

81. धूर्जटि – जटाओं का धारक

82. गलजिंकर – गले में जटाएं धारण किए

83. कमोशी – कामनाओं का नाश करनेवाला

84. अध्यंतक – अंतहीन

85. कलविकर्णिक – कल्पवृक्ष के कान वाला

86. बलविकर्णिक – बलराम के कान जैसा

87. बाल – बाल मूर्ति

88. मृड – क्रोध का नाश करने वाला

89. संहार – प्रलय का कारण

90. जीवितेश्वर – जीवों का ईश्वर

91. मल्लिकार्जुन शंकर – मल्लिकार्जुन का शंकर

92. गिरीश – पहाड़ों का राजा

93. योगिराज – योगियों का राजा

94. नित्यसुंदर – सदा सुंदर

95. नागाभूषण – सर्पों का आभूषण धारण किए

96. अमृतांग – अमृत से संपन्न अंग

97. महानिधि – महान खजाना

98. एकलिंग – एक ही लिंग

99. संघव्यश्व – संघ का नेता

100. चंद्रशेखर – चंद्रमा का सिंहासन प्रदान करने वाला

101. चंद्रमौलिश – चंद्रमा जैसा मुख्खर

102. सदाशिवरुद्र – सदा शिव स्वरूपी रुद्र

103. शंभव – खुशियों का कारण

104. महेश्वर – त्रिदेवों में महान

105. विक्रम – विजयी

106. विशालाक्ष – विशाल नेत्र वाला

107. वृषावाहन – नंदी बैल का स्वामी

108. वृषभारुद्र – वृषभ स्वरूपी रुद्र

10 Beautiful Names of Lord Shiva

1. Mahadeva – Shiva is called the Great God due to his supreme position among the deities.
2. Neelakantha – He is called the Blue-Throated One as he drank the deadly poison (halahala) that emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean to save the world, which turned his throat blue.
3. Nataraja – Shiva is the Lord of Dance, and his cosmic dance represents the cyclical nature of creation and destruction.
4. Chandrashekhara – The crescent moon adorns Shiva’s head, symbolizing his control over time and the cosmos.
5. Mrityunjaya – As the Conqueror of Death, Shiva represents the eternal and indestructible nature of the soul.
6. Giridhara – Shiva is known as the Bearer of the Mountain, as he once held the Himalayas on his head.
7. Vishveshvara – He is the Lord of the Universe, the ultimate ruler and controller of all existence.
8. Omkara – The sacred syllable ‘Om’ is considered the primordial sound and Shiva’s mystic name.
9. Gangadhara – Shiva is the Bearer of the Ganges, as the holy river is believed to originate from his matted locks.
10. Parameshvara – This name means the Supreme Lord, representing Shiva’s position as the highest deity and the ultimate reality

Conclusion

Lord Shiva has over one thousand names that reflect his multifaceted nature and divine qualities. Some prominent names include Mahadeva, Maheshwara, Shambhu, Gangadhara, Nataraja, and Neelakantha among many others. These rich names and epithets depict Lord Shiva’s different attributes as the supreme ascetic, fiery destroyer, peaceful bestower of grace, mystical cosmic dancer, and meditative yogi. His diverse names glorify Shiva’s supreme status as Mahadeva, greatest lord and soul of the universe.

FAQ’S

What is another name for Lord Shiva that refers to his position as the greatest or highest God?

Mahadeva is one of the prominent names of Lord Shiva that signifies he is the greatest or highest God.

Which name of Lord Shiva refers to the third eye in his forehead?

The name ‘Trilochana’ meaning three-eyed refers to the third eye of Lord Shiva in the middle of his forehead.

What is the name used for Lord Shiva that indicates he bears the flow of the Ganga river?

Gangadhara is the name used for Lord Shiva that conveys he bears the descent of Ganga river on his head.

Which of Shiva’s names relates to his extreme anger and destruction at the time of Pralaya?

The name Mahakala meaning Great Death or Great Dissolution refers to the furious form of Shiva responsible for pralaya or dissolution of the universe.

What name refers to the Lord Shiva’s stillness, tranquility and ascetic nature?

The name Shambhu referring to one who bestows or causes happiness relates to the peaceful, ascetic nature of Lord Shiva.