माधव

Madhav

boySanskritHindu

Madhav is a Hindu boy name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Krishna; descendant of Madhu”.

MeaningKrishna; descendant of Madhu
GenderBoy
OriginSanskrit
Written asमाधव
PronunciationMAA-dhuv
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia, Nepal

Meaning and origin of Madhav

Madhav is the modern form of Sanskrit Mādhava, an old epithet of Krishna and Vishnu. It is usually explained as 'of the line of Madhu', the Yadava ancestor of Krishna's clan, while another traditional reading is 'husband of Ma', meaning Lakshmi. Because madhu also means honey and spring, the name has a sweet, seasonal ring, and Madhava is the name of the first spring month. It is popular across India and has a long history, including the fourteenth-century Kerala mathematician Madhava of Sangamagrama.

Is Madhav a Hindu name?

Madhava appears in the Bhagavad Gita, where Arjuna addresses Krishna by this name, and in the Vishnu Sahasranama; Hindu families give it as a name of Krishna.

How popular is Madhav?

A popular name for boys in India and the diaspora in recent decades.

Gifts with the name Madhav

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Spellings and variants of Madhav

MaadhavMadhavaMadhabMadhavan

Names similar to Madhav

More Hindu boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Madhav mean?

Madhav means 'Krishna; descendant of Madhu'. It is of Sanskrit origin.

Is Madhav a Hindu name?

Madhava appears in the Bhagavad Gita, where Arjuna addresses Krishna by this name, and in the Vishnu Sahasranama; Hindu families give it as a name of Krishna.

How do you pronounce Madhav?

Madhav is pronounced MAA-dhuv.

Is Madhav a boy or girl name?

Madhav is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.