Abhishek is a masculine given name of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit language. The name means "limitless" or "without end". It is composed of two Sanskrit words, "Abhi", which means "towards" or "to", and "Shekha", which refers to "effort" or "practice".
The name Abhishek has a significant historical background in India. It was popularized by the Hindu epic Mahabharata, where Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna and Subhadra, is referred to as Abhishek. In the epic, Abhishek signifies courage, valor, and unwavering determination.
In modern times, Abhishek has been carried forward as a popular name in India and among the Indian diaspora worldwide. It continues to be associated with the qualities of determination, perseverance, and limitless potential, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of its origin. Despite its Sanskrit roots, Abhishek is now used across various communities and religions, transcending cultural boundaries.
The name Abhishek experienced significant growth in popularity from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, with a peak of 61 births in 1999 and 63 in 2000. However, it has since declined, with only 5 births recorded in 2018. Overall, there have been 758 babies named Abhishek from 1981 to 2018.