All 108 Names of Lord Shiva and Their Meaning (2024)

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All Names of Lord Shiva

In Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva stands as a major figure, esteemed as part of the divine trio known as the Trimurti, which also includes Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. His role as the force of destruction and transformation is pivotal in maintaining the universe’s cycle of creation, sustenance, and eventual dissolution.

Shiva name in Sanskrit translates to ‘the auspicious one’, mirroring his nature as both kind and protective. Here are different names of lord Shiva, each reflecting a unique aspect of his personality. As Mahadeva, he is revered as the ‘Great God‘, while his title Mahayogi emphasizes his status as the ultimate meditator. Other names of lord Shiva include like Rudra present him in a more intimidating light, and Shankara underscores his role as a giver of benefits.

108 Names of Lord Shiva

Here is the list of all 108 names of Lord Shiva and meaning of each name:

Shiva – The Auspicious One
Maheshwara – The Great God
Shambhu – The One Who Bestows Prosperity
Pinakin – The One Who Holds the Bow
Shashishekhar – The One Who Wears the Crescent Moon
Vamadeva – The Lord Who is Pleasing
Virupaksha – The Lord with an Oblique Eye
Kapardin – The Lord with Matted Hair
Nilalohita – The One with a Blue-Red Complexion
Shankara – The Giver of Joy
Shulapani – The One Who Carries a Trident
Khatvangin – The One Who Wields a Club
Vishnuvallabha – The Beloved of Lord Vishnu
Shipivishta – The Lord Whose Form Emits Rays
Ambikanatha – The Consort of Ambika
Shrikantha – The One with a Glorious Neck
Bhaktavatsala – The One Who is Fond of Devotees
Bhava – The Source of Existence
Sharva – The Archer
Trilokesh – The Lord of Three Worlds
sh*tikantha – The One with a White Neck
Shivapriya – The Beloved of Shivaa (Parvati)
Ugra – The Terrible
Kapali – The Wearer of a Necklace of Skulls
Kamari – The Enemy of Desire
Andhakasura Sudana – The Slayer of the Demon Andhaka
Gangadhara – The Bearer of the River Ganga
Lalataksha – The One with an Eye on the Forehead
Kalakala – The Death of Death
Kripanidhi – The Treasure of Compassion
Bhim – The Tremendous
Parashuhasta – The One Who Holds an Axe
Mrigapani – The One Who Holds a Deer
Jatadhar – The One with Matted Hair
Kailasavasi – The Resident of Mount Kailash
Kavachin – The One Who Wears Armor
Kathor – The Rigid One
Tripurantaka – The Destroyer of the Three Cities
Vrishanka – The Lord with a Bull Ensign
Vrishabharudha – The Rider of the Bull
Bhasmoddhulita Vigraha – The One with a Body Covered in Ashes
Samapriya – The One Who Loves Equality
Swaramayi – The Possessor of All Sounds
Trayimurti – The One with Three Forms
Anishvara – The One Without a Master
Sarvagnya – The Omniscient
Paramatman – The Supreme Soul
Somasuryagnilochana – The One with the Moon, Sun, and Fire as Eyes
Havish – The Receiver of Sacrificial Offerings
Yajna – The Sacrifice
Sarvayoni – The Source of Everything
Sukhada – The Bestower of Happiness
Somapa – The Moon Drinker
Panchavaktra – The Five-Faced
Sadashiva – The Eternal Shiva
Vishveshwara – The Lord of the Universe
Veerabhadra – The Fierce Friend
Gananatha – The Lord of Ganas (attendants of Shiva)
Prajapati – The Lord of All Creatures
Hiranyaretas – The One with Golden Seed
Durdharsha – The Invincible
Girisha – The Lord of Mountains
Girisha – The Resident of Mountains
Anagha – The Sinless
Bujangabhushana – The One Who Wears Serpents as Ornaments
Bhargava – The Descendant of Bhrigu
Giridhanva – The One Who Has the Mountain as His Bow
Dhanvi – The Archer
Devadeva – The God of Gods
Mrityunjaya – The Conqueror of Death
Sukshmatanu – The One with a Subtle Body
Jagadvyapi – The Pervader of the World
Jagadguru – The Guru of the World
Vyomakesha – The One with Sky as His Hair
Mahasenajanaka – The Father of Mahasena (Kartikeya)
Charuvikrama – The One with Graceful Strides
Rudra – The Roarer
Bhootapati – The Lord of Ghosts
Sthanu – The Immutable
Ahirbudhnya – The One Born of a Serpent
Digambara – The Sky-Clad (Clothed in the Directions)
Ashtamurti – The One with Eight Forms
Anekatma – The One with Many Souls
Satvik – The Pure
Shuddhavigraha – The Pure-Embodied
Shashvata – The Eternal
Khandaparashu – The One Who Wields an Axe
Aja – The Unborn
Pashvimochaka – The Liberator from Bonds
Mridaya – The Compassionate
Pashupati – The Lord of All Living Beings
Deva – The Deity
Mahadeva – The Great Deity
Avyaya – The Inexhaustible
Hari – The Remover
Bhagnetrabhid – The One Who Broke Bhaga’s Eye
Avyaktaroopa – The Unmanifested
Sahasraksha – The Thousand-Eyed
Sahasrapada – The Thousand-Footed
Apavargaprada – The Bestower of Salvation
Ananta – The Endless
Taraka – The Liberator
Parameshwara – The Supreme Lord
Krittivasa – The One Who Wears Clothes of Hide
Krittivasana – The Wearer of Animal Skin
Bhootabhavana – The Creator of Beings
Unmattavesha – The One with the Frenzied Appearance
Pramathadhipa – The Lord of Pramathas (attendants of Shiva)

Real Name of Lord Shiva

In Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva isn’t known by just one name, but instead has many names, each representing a different part of his divine character. “Shiva” is the most common name, meaning “The Auspicious One” in Sanskrit so all the names of Lord Shiva is real.

19 Avatars of Lord Shiva Names

Lord is known for his different avatars, each having different aspects of his divine nature. Here are the 19 avatars of Lord Shiva names and their objective:

Piplaad Avatar: Born to sage Dadhichi, Piplaad avenged his father’s death by invoking a curse on the deity Shani.
Nandi Avatar: Nandi, the divine bull, serves as Shiva’s mount (vahana) and is a gate-guardian deity of Kailash.
Veerabhadra Avatar: Emanating from Shiva’s hair, Veerabhadra destroyed Daksha’s sacrifice and avenged Sati’s self-immolation.
Bhairava Avatar: As Kaal Bhairava, Shiva guards the eight directions of the universe. He is often depicted in a fierce form.
Ashwatthama Avatar: Believed to be an incarnation of Shiva, Ashwatthama played a crucial role in the Mahabharata war.
Sharabha Avatar: A part-lion and part-bird creature, Sharabha was created to pacify Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu.
Grihapati Avatar: In this form, Shiva tested the devotion of his devotees, Vishwanar and his wife.
Durvasa Avatar: Known for his short temper, sage Durvasa was a respected figure and known for his strict adherence to dharma.
Hanuman Avatar: Considered as the 11th Rudra avatar, Hanuman is revered for his devotion to Lord Rama.
Rishabh Avatar: An avatar preaching the importance of peace and forgiveness.
Krishna Darshan Avatar: Shiva appeared to a devotee in the form of Lord Krishna.
Bhikshuvarya Avatar: Demonstrating the virtues of detachment and simplicity.
Sureshwar Avatar: An embodiment of wisdom and compassion, guiding sages and devotees.
Keerat Avatar: In this form, Shiva tested Arjuna’s skills in warfare.
Sunatnartak Avatar: A dancer avatar symbolizing cosmic dance and rhythm.
Brahmachari Avatar: Emphasizing the importance of Brahmacharya (celibacy and devotion to spiritual practice).
Yaksheshwar Avatar: Shiva, in this form, tested the integrity and devotion of the Pandavas.
Avadhuteshwar Avatar: Representing detachment and enlightenment.
Siddheshwar Avatar: An avatar embodying wisdom, enlightenment, and mastery over the senses.

108 Names of Lord Shiva in Hindi

Here is the list of all 108 names of Lord Shiva and their meaning in Hindi:

शिव – शुभकारी
महेश्वर – महान देव
शम्भु – समृद्धि प्रदान करने वाले
पिनाकिन – धनुष धारण करने वाले
शशिशेखर – चंद्रमा से शोभित
वामदेव – सुंदर देव
विरुपाक्ष – तिरछी नज़र वाले
कपर्दिन – जटाधारी
नीललोहित – नील-लाल वर्ण
शंकर – आनंद प्रदान करने वाले
शूलपाणि – त्रिशूल धारण करने वाले
खट्वांगिन – खट्वांग धारी
विष्णुवल्लभ – विष्णु के प्रिय
शिपिविष्ट – तेजस्वी रूप वाले
अंबिकानाथ – अंबिका के स्वामी
श्रीकंठ – शोभनीय गले वाले
भक्तवत्सल – भक्तों के प्रति स्नेही
भव – अस्तित्व के स्रोत
शर्व – धनुर्धर
त्रिलोकेश – तीनों लोकों के स्वामी
शितिकंठ – सफेद गले वाले
शिवप्रिय – शिवा (पार्वती) के प्रिय
उग्र – भयानक
कपाली – खोपड़ी की माला पहनने वाले
कामारी – कामना के शत्रु
अंधकासुर सुदन – अंधकासुर का वध करने वाले
गंगाधर – गंगा धारण करने वाले
ललाटाक्ष – ललाट पर नेत्र वाले
कालकाल – मृत्यु के नाशक
कृपानिधि – करुणा के खजाने
भीम – भयंकर
परशुहस्त – परशु धारण करने वाले
मृगपाणि – मृग धारण करने वाले
जटाधर – जटा धारण करने वाले
कैलासवासी – कैलास निवासी
कवची – कवच धारण करने वाले
कठोर – कठोर
त्रिपुरांतक – त्रिपुर के नाशक
वृषांक – वृषभ के चिन्ह वाले
वृषभारूढ़ – वृषभ पर आरूढ़
भस्मोद्धूलित विग्रह – भस्म से आच्छादित शरीर वाले
समप्रिय – समता के प्रिय
स्वरमयी – सभी स्वरों के स्वामी
त्रयीमूर्ति – तीन रूपों वाले
अनीश्वर – निराधार
सर्वज्ञ – सर्वज्ञानी
परमात्मा – सर्वोच्च आत्मा
सोमसूर्याग्निलोचन – चंद्र, सूर्य और अग्नि नेत्र वाले
हविष – यज्ञ का प्राप्तकर्ता
यज्ञ – यज्ञ
सर्वयोनि – सब कुछ का स्रोत
सुखदा – सुख प्रदान करने वाले
सोमप – चंद्रमा पीने वाले
पंचवक्त्र – पांच चेहरे वाले
सदाशिव – नित्य शिव
विश्वेश्वर – विश्व के स्वामी
वीरभद्र – भयानक मित्र
गणनाथ – गणों के स्वामी
प्रजापति – सभी प्राणियों के स्वामी
हिरण्यरेतस – स्वर्ण बीज वाले
दुर्धर्ष – अजेय
गिरीश – पर्वतों के देव
गिरीश – पर्वतों में निवासी
अनघ – निष्पाप
बुजंगभूषण – साँपों के आभूषण पहनने वाले
भार्गव – भृगु के वंशज
गिरिधन्वा – पर्वत के धनुष वाले
धन्वी – धनुर्धर
देवदेव – देवताओं के देव
मृत्युंजय – मृत्यु के जीतने वाले
सूक्ष्मतनु – सूक्ष्म शरीर वाले
जगद्व्यापी – जगत को व्याप्त करने वाले
जगद्गुरु – जगत के गुरु
व्योमकेश – आकाश के केश वाले
महासेनजनक – महासेन (कार्तिकेय) के पिता
चारुविक्रम – सुंदर कदम वाले
रुद्र – गर्जन करने वाले
भूतपति – भूतों के स्वामी
स्थानु – अचल
अहिर्बुध्न्य – सर्प से जन्मे
दिगंबर – दिशाओं से ढके
अष्टमूर्ति – आठ रूप वाले
अनेकात्मा – अनेक आत्माओं वाले
सात्विक – शुद्ध
शुद्धविग्रह – शुद्ध रूप वाले
शाश्वत – शाश्वत
खंडपरशु – परशु धारण करने वाले
अज – अजन्मा
पाशविमोचक – बंधनों से मुक्त करने वाले
मृदय – दयालु
पशुपति – सभी प्राणियों के स्वामी
देव – देवता
महादेव – महान देवता
अव्यय – अक्षय
हरि – हरण करने वाले
भग्नेत्राभिद – भग की आंख तोड़ने वाले
अव्यक्तरूप – अव्यक्त रूप वाले
सहस्राक्ष – हजार नेत्रों वाले
सहस्रपाद – हजार पैरों वाले
अपवर्गप्रद – मोक्ष प्रदान करने वाले
अनन्त – अनंत
तारक – मुक्ति
परमेश्वर – सर्वोच्च स्वामी
कृत्तिवासा – खाल के वस्त्र धारण करने वाले
कृत्तिवासन – पशुचर्म का वस्त्र पहनने वाले
भूतभावन – प्राणियों का सृजन करने वाले
उन्मत्तवेश – उन्मत्त रूप वाले
प्रमथाधिप – प्रमथों (शिव के अनुचरों) के स्वामी

FAQs on Names of Lord Shiva

What are the 12 names of Shiva?

The 12 names of Lord Shiva include Shiva, Maheshwara, Rudra, Pushkara, Pushpalochana, Arthigamya, Sadachara, Shiva, Bhudeva, Avyaya, Bhavodbhava, and Ghrishneshwar. Each name highlights a different aspect of his divine nature.

Who are the 11 rudras?

The 11 Rudras in Hindu mythology, aspects of Lord Shiva, are Manyu, Manu, Mahmasa, Mahan, Shiva, Rtudhvaja, Ugraretas, Bhava, Kala, Vamadeva, and Dhritavrata. They represent various dimensions of Shiva's cosmic role.

What are the 5 head names of Shiva?

The five heads of Lord Shiva are known as Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha, and Ishana. Each head symbolizes a different aspect of Shiva, such as creation, preservation, destruction, illusion, and grace.

What is the short name of Mahadev?

A common short name for Mahadev is Shiv. It's a simpler and more frequently used form, signifying his auspicious and benevolent nature as a major deity in Hinduism.

Is Shiva half female?

Yes, Lord Shiva is often depicted as Ardhanarishvara, a form that is half-male and half-female. This form symbolizes the synthesis of masculine and feminine energies of the universe, illustrating the unity and interconnectedness of all things.