The baby name Kanishka is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced kuh-NISH-kuh (IPA: /kəˈnɪʃkə/).
Kanishka is Sanskrit in Origin.
The baby name Kanishka is a Male name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced kuh-NISH-kuh (IPA: /kəˈnɪʃkə/).
Kanishka is Sanskrit in Origin.
Kanishka is a Sanskritized given name widely used in South Asia. It is commonly interpreted as meaning “small, youngest,” linked to the Sanskrit roots kanīyas/kanishtha (“younger, least”) and rendered as the diminutive kaniṣka. Because the earliest royal attestations come from Kushan contexts and Bactrian inscriptions, some etymologists consider its ultimate origin uncertain; however, in modern Indic languages the name is understood through this Sanskrit semantic field and is appreciated for its gentle, affectionate nuance.
The name was popularized by Emperor Kanishka I of the Kushan Empire (2nd century CE), famed as a patron of Buddhism, art, and trade along the Silk Road. Contemporary usage spans India, Nepal, and the diaspora, typically masculine but sometimes unisex. Common variants and spellings include Kanishk, Kaniska, Kanishkaa, and the scholarly transliteration Kaniṣka; related forms reflect regional scripts. The name signals cultural heritage and a blend of strength with humility.
| Kanishka Kanishka, also known as Kanishka the Great, is most famous for leading the Kushan Empire at its height. He ruled around 127 to 150 CE, during a period when the empire reached its greatest power and influence. | Kanishka II Kanishka II was a Kushan emperor best known for ruling part of the Kushan Empire from around 232 to 247 CE. He succeeded Vasudeva I, who is often seen as the last great Kushan emperor. | Kanishka III Kanishka III was a Kushan emperor best known for ruling the empire in the late 3rd century CE, from about 265 to 270 CE. He is generally believed to have succeeded Vasishka and to have been followed by Vasudeva II. |
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN | 0 | #70 | 2 | 2,963 | |
| AF | 0 | #72 | 5 | 1,883 | |
| MV | Boys | 0 | #78 | 2 | 3,375 |
| AF | Girls | 0 | #94 | 1 | 2,402 |
| OM | 0 | #119 | 3 | 6,215 | |
| KW | 0 | #121 | 1 | 5,216 | |
| MU | 0 | #137 | 1 | 3,613 | |
| AE | 0 | #186 | 2 | 10,220 | |
| AF | Boys | 0 | #239 | 32 | 3,535 |
| JP | Boys | 0 | #296 | 8 | 7,909 |
| DK | Boys | 0 | #331 | 2 | 7,401 |
| JO | Girls | 0 | #339 | 1 | 7,570 |
| QA | Girls | 0 | #341 | 3 | 15,378 |
| MU | Girls | 0 | #358 | 5 | 8,539 |
| GH | Boys | 0 | #361 | 1 | 8,138 |
| JO | Boys | 0 | #388 | 2 | 7,057 |
| OM | Girls | 0 | #421 | 4 | 15,987 |
| CL | 0 | #434 | 1 | 6,867 | |
| RU | Boys | 0 | #524 | 3 | 12,621 |
| IN | Girls | 0 | #531 | 101 | 13,121 |
| KW | Girls | 0 | #558 | 4 | 19,177 |
| PS | Boys | 0 | #561 | 1 | 10,655 |
| BH | 0 | #581 | 7 | 17,937 | |
| AE | Girls | 0 | #591 | 7 | 20,968 |
| IL | Boys | 0 | #624 | 2 | 10,983 |
| SG | Girls | 0 | #632 | 1 | 18,916 |
| HK | Girls | 0 | #649 | 2 | 16,104 |
| QA | Boys | 0 | #679 | 29 | 18,093 |
| SG | Boys | 0 | #685 | 13 | 17,960 |
| IQ | Boys | 0 | #697 | 1 | 13,071 |
| KW | Boys | 0 | #752 | 18 | 18,755 |
| United States | Girls | 2020 | #911 | 7 | 8,768 |
| OM | Boys | 0 | #914 | 5 | 17,948 |
| IN | Boys | 0 | #979 | 23 | 16,750 |
| SA | Girls | 0 | #1,013 | 2 | 25,931 |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,063 | 30 | 22,615 |
| MY | Girls | 0 | #1,072 | 1 | 24,821 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,181 | 2 | 25,439 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,233 | 4 | 25,928 |
| TR | 0 | #1,254 | 1 | 19,440 | |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,272 | 1 | 25,619 |
| IT | Boys | 0 | #1,437 | 35 | 10,046 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,593 | 22 | 28,008 |
Kanishka is popular in 26 countries — most recent births per country:
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