NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Karthik

An Indian masculine name derived from Sanskrit meaning "one who performs meritorious deeds".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Karthik is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Karthik popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 10 births.

This profile covers 103 England and Wales registrations across 20 recorded years from 2002 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 40% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 102 living people in the UK are called Karthik. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Karthik ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2013, when 10 boys were registered as Karthik.
  • About 102 living people in the UK are estimated to have Karthik as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4270

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2013

10 births

Estimated living

102

2026

Meaning

What does Karthik mean?

The name Karthik has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the Sanskrit root word "krit," which means "to accomplish" or "to achieve." The suffix "-ika" is often added to Sanskrit words to denote a diminutive or affectionate form.

In Hindu mythology, Karthik is one of the names of the Hindu god Kartikeya, who is also known as Murugan or Subrahmanya. He is the divine son of Lord Shiva and the goddess Parvati and is revered as the god of war and the commander-in-chief of the divine army. The name Karthik is closely associated with this powerful deity and his attributes of courage, valor, and strength.

The earliest recorded use of the name Karthik can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Puranas and the Mahabharata. These sacred texts contain stories and legends related to Kartikeya, and the name Karthik is mentioned in various contexts.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Karthik. One of the most famous was Karthik Aryan, a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 6th century CE. He made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and astronomy, and his works were highly influential in the development of these disciplines in ancient India.

Another notable figure was Karthik Siddhanta, a 9th-century Indian philosopher and scholar who wrote extensively on Hindu philosophy and theology. His works, such as the "Karthik Siddhanta," were widely studied and had a lasting impact on the intellectual traditions of the subcontinent.

In more recent times, Karthik Raja, a 16th-century Indian ruler and military commander, played a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of the Vijayanagar Empire in southern India. He was known for his strategic military campaigns and his patronage of the arts and architecture.

Karthik Rajasekharan, an Indian writer and poet of the 20th century, was renowned for his lyrical and evocative works that explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality. His poetry collections, such as "Karthik Geetham," were widely acclaimed and earned him numerous literary awards and accolades.

Lastly, Karthik Narayanan, a contemporary Indian entrepreneur and business leader, is the co-founder and CEO of a successful technology company based in Bengaluru. He has been recognized for his innovative approach and his contributions to the growth of the Indian startup ecosystem.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Karthik over time

The chart below shows babies named Karthik registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Karthik, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Karthik
035810200220132024

Decades

Karthik by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Karthik was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3743 14 3
2010s #3129 60 10
2000s #3349 29 7

Related

Names similar to Karthik

FAQ

Karthik: questions and answers

How popular is the name Karthik in the UK right now?

In 2024, Karthik was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Karthik most popular?

The peak year on record was 2013, with 10 babies registered as Karthik in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Karthik?

An Indian masculine name derived from Sanskrit meaning "one who performs meritorious deeds".

How many people are called Karthik in the UK?

A total of 103 babies have been registered as Karthik across the 20 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.