Meaning, origin, history
Ganesa is a name of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word 'gana', which means 'group' or 'horde'. It is believed to have been the name given to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity in Hindu mythology who is considered the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and intelligence.
The name Ganesa is said to have originated from a legend in which Parvati, the wife of Shiva, created a boy out of the turmeric paste used for her daily bath and breathed life into him. She asked him to guard the door while she bathed, but when Shiva returned home and did not recognize the boy, he beheaded him. Parvati was furious and created an army of ghosts and demons to avenge her son's death. To appease her, Shiva promised that anyone who invoked his son's name would be blessed with wisdom and good fortune.
From this legend emerged Ganesa as a revered deity in Hinduism, and the name Ganesa has since been associated with intelligence, wisdom, and good fortune. It is often given to children in the hope that they will grow up to possess these qualities. Today, Ganesa remains a popular name among Hindus around the world.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Ganesa since 1880
Total births
16
Total since 1880
Peak year
1977
6 births
in 2008
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
→
vs previous 5 years