The baby name Kanishk is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /kəˈnɪʃk/ (kuh-NISHK).
The baby name Kanishk is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /kəˈnɪʃk/ (kuh-NISHK).
Kanishk is Indian, Sanskrit in Origin.
Rooted in South Asian history, Kanishk is a modern transliteration of Kaniṣka (Devanagari: कनिष्क), the name borne by the famed Kushan emperor of the 2nd century CE. His reign linked Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, patronizing Buddhist scholarship and Gandhara art, which helped the name endure in texts, coins, and later chronicles. Revived in the late 20th century, Kanishk now sees steady use across India and the diaspora, sometimes perceived as heritage-rich yet contemporary.
Meaning and form vary by source. The etymology is uncertain; some relate it to Sanskrit kanishtha “youngest, small,” while popular usage treats it as signifying “emperor” or “great ruler” in homage to King Kanishka. Common variants include Kanishka, Kaniṣka, Kaniska, and Kaneshk; feminine or unisex use appears in parts of South Asia. Nicknames range from Kani to Nishk.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CY | Boys | 0 | #131 | 1 | 3,473 |
| MU | 0 | #137 | 1 | 3,613 | |
| SG | 0 | #282 | 1 | 11,010 | |
| Canada | Boys | 2020 | #318 | 5 | 2,548 |
| MU | Boys | 0 | #368 | 2 | 8,477 |
| CR | Boys | 0 | #510 | 1 | 10,188 |
| IR | Girls | 0 | #545 | 1 | 8,334 |
| HK | Boys | 0 | #555 | 3 | 12,905 |
| IN | Girls | 0 | #652 | 3 | 13,121 |
| SG | Boys | 0 | #734 | 6 | 17,960 |
| QA | Boys | 0 | #742 | 2 | 18,093 |
| KW | Boys | 0 | #806 | 1 | 18,755 |
| United States | Boys | 2024 | #888 | 5 | 7,044 |
| IN | Boys | 0 | #906 | 96 | 16,750 |
| OM | Boys | 0 | #915 | 4 | 17,948 |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,081 | 12 | 22,615 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,182 | 1 | 25,439 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,236 | 1 | 25,928 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,689 | 3 | 28,008 |
Kanishk is popular in 16 countries — most recent births per country:
Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!