Panchanan
Panchanan is a Hindu boy name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Five-faced; a name of Shiva”.
| Meaning | Five-faced; a name of Shiva |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Sanskrit |
| Written as | पञ्चानन |
| Pronunciation | PUN-chaa-nun |
| Tradition | Hindu |
| Used in | India, Bangladesh |
Meaning and origin of Panchanan
Panchanan comes from pancha, 'five', and anana, 'face'. It describes Shiva in his five-faced form, Panchavaktra or Sadashiva, whose faces look in four directions and upward. In Sanskrit the word is also used for the lion, whose wide open mouth was poetically counted as a 'face'. The name is especially rooted in Bengal, where Panchanan is worshipped as a village guardian form of Shiva.
Is Panchanan a Hindu name?
Panchanan is a direct epithet of Shiva and in rural Bengal has its own shrines and festivals. It is a strongly Shaiva name.
How popular is Panchanan?
Mainly found in Bengal and Odisha, mostly among older generations.
Gifts with the name Panchanan
- Panchanan name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Panchanan baby gifts (Amazon)
- Hindu baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Panchanan
Names similar to Panchanan
More Hindu boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Panchanan mean?
Panchanan means 'Five-faced; a name of Shiva'. It is of Sanskrit origin.
Is Panchanan a Hindu name?
Panchanan is a direct epithet of Shiva and in rural Bengal has its own shrines and festivals. It is a strongly Shaiva name.
How do you pronounce Panchanan?
Panchanan is pronounced PUN-chaa-nun.
Is Panchanan a boy or girl name?
Panchanan is usually a boy name.