Lord Shiva Names: Meaning, Rashi & Stories Behind the Names
Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of destruction and transformation, is one of the most revered gods in Hinduism. Known as Mahadev (the greatest god), he embodies the perfect balance of destruction and regeneration, paving the way for new beginnings. Lord Shiva is worshipped in various forms, and each of his names signifies a unique aspect of his divine persona.
In this blog, we explore some of the most powerful names of Lord Shiva, their meanings, associated Rashi (zodiac sign), and the mythological stories behind them.
Lord Shiva Names with Meaning, Rashi & Stories
| Name | Meaning | Rashi | Story Behind the Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahadev | The greatest god | Vrishabha (Taurus) | Shiva is called Mahadev as he is the supreme deity who blesses all beings with wisdom and liberation. |
| Neelkanth | The blue-throated one | Karka (Cancer) | When the Devas and Asuras churned the ocean, Shiva drank the deadly poison (halahala) to save the universe, turning his throat blue. |
| Rudra | The fierce and mighty one | Mesha (Aries) | Lord Shiva manifested as Rudra when he was enraged, bringing destruction to remove evil from the world. |
| Shankar | The giver of peace and happiness | Dhanu (Sagittarius) | He is known as Shankar because he grants peace, wisdom, and well-being to his devotees. |
| Bholenath | The innocent and kind-hearted lord | Meena (Pisces) | Due to his simple nature and generosity, he grants boons even to demons, earning him the name Bholenath. |
| Gangadhar | The one who holds the Ganga | Kumbha (Aquarius) | To prevent devastation, Shiva caught the descending river Ganga in his matted hair before releasing it onto Earth. |
| Pashupati | Lord of all living beings | Vrishchika (Scorpio) | Once, Shiva displayed his divine form to sages, showing that all creatures—big or small—are under his care. |
| Nataraja | The cosmic dancer | Tula (Libra) | Lord Shiva performed the Tandava dance, symbolizing the cycle of creation and destruction. |
| Trilokinath | Lord of the three worlds | Mithuna (Gemini) | He is called Trilokinath because he governs and protects all three worlds—heaven, earth, and the underworld. |
| Ardhanarishwara | Half-male, half-female form | Kanya (Virgo) | Shiva merged with Parvati to show the balance of masculine and feminine energies, embodying Ardhanarishwara. |
