हरिहर

Harihar

boySanskritHindu

Harihar is a Hindu boy name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Vishnu and Shiva united”.

MeaningVishnu and Shiva united
GenderBoy
OriginSanskrit
Written asहरिहर
Pronunciationhuh-ree-HUR
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia, Nepal

Meaning and origin of Harihar

Harihar joins Hari, Vishnu, and Hara, Shiva, into a single name for the combined deity Harihara, shown in sculpture as half Vishnu and half Shiva. The image expresses the idea that the two great gods are aspects of one reality. Harihara was also the name of the founder of the fourteenth-century Vijayanagara Empire, and several temples, especially in Karnataka, are dedicated to this form.

Is Harihar a Hindu name?

A Hindu name honouring Harihara, the joint form of Vishnu and Shiva, popular with families who revere both.

How popular is Harihar?

Used throughout India; Hariharan is the usual Tamil and Malayalam form.

Gifts with the name Harihar

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Spellings and variants of Harihar

HariharaHariharan

Names similar to Harihar

More Hindu boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Harihar mean?

Harihar means 'Vishnu and Shiva united'. It is of Sanskrit origin.

Is Harihar a Hindu name?

A Hindu name honouring Harihara, the joint form of Vishnu and Shiva, popular with families who revere both.

How do you pronounce Harihar?

Harihar is pronounced huh-ree-HUR.

Is Harihar a boy or girl name?

Harihar is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.