The baby name Bheeshma is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced Sanskrit: /bʱiːʂmə/; English approximation: BHEESH-ma (/ˈbiːʃmə/).
The baby name Bheeshma is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced Sanskrit: /bʱiːʂmə/; English approximation: BHEESH-ma (/ˈbiːʃmə/).
Bheeshma is Hindu, Sanskrit in Origin.
Bheeshma is a masculine Indian given name from Sanskrit Bhīṣma (भिष्म), meaning “formidable, fearsome, awe‑inspiring,” derived from the verbal root bhīṣ- “to frighten, to inspire dread.” In the Mahābhārata, Bhishma - born Devavrata - is the revered grandsire who took a momentous vow of lifelong celibacy (the Bhishma Pratigya), earning this epithet. The name therefore connotes steadfast resolve, moral authority, and protective strength rather than literal ferocity.
Used across Hindu communities in India, Nepal, and the global diaspora, it appears in classical Sanskrit texts and persists as a traditional, if uncommon, modern choice. Common transliterations include Bhishma (standard), Bhīṣma (scholarly), Bheeshma (anglicized), Bhishm/Bheeshm, and occasionally Bishma in Bengali-influenced forms; feminine counterparts are rare. Cultural remembrance of the epic hero - through festivals such as Bhishma Ashtami and retellings in literature, theater, and film - sustains the name’s recognition and its associations with duty, loyalty, and powerful vows.
Bheeshma is extremely rare. Across 5 countries, we found just 7 recorded uses of it.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KW | Boys | 0 | #806 | 1 | 18,755 |
| IN | Boys | 0 | #1,037 | 3 | 16,750 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,182 | 1 | 25,439 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,236 | 1 | 25,928 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,691 | 1 | 28,008 |
Bheeshma is popular in 5 countries — most recent births per country:
Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!