शान्तनु

Shaantanu

boySanskritHindu

Shaantanu is a Hindu boy name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “Usually explained as wholesome; peaceful”.

MeaningUsually explained as wholesome; peaceful
GenderBoy
OriginSanskrit
Written asशान्तनु
PronunciationSHAHN-tuh-noo
TraditionHindu
Used inIndia, Nepal

Meaning and origin of Shaantanu

Shaantanu, more commonly spelled Shantanu, is the name of a king of Hastinapura in the Mahabharata. He married the river goddess Ganga, who bore him Bhishma, and later Satyavati, ancestor of the Pandavas and Kauravas. The name's meaning is debated: it is often explained as 'wholesome' or 'beneficial', from sham ('welfare') and tanu ('body'), while others link it to shanta, 'peaceful'.

Is Shaantanu a Hindu name?

Shantanu is a Mahabharata name, the father of Bhishma. Hindu families use it for its epic heritage and calm sound.

How popular is Shaantanu?

A well-known boys' name in India, usually spelled Shantanu.

Gifts with the name Shaantanu

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Spellings and variants of Shaantanu

ShantanuSantanuShantnu

Names similar to Shaantanu

BhishmaShaanSanatanShaunak

More Hindu boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Shaantanu mean?

Shaantanu means 'Usually explained as wholesome; peaceful'. It is of Sanskrit origin.

Is Shaantanu a Hindu name?

Shantanu is a Mahabharata name, the father of Bhishma. Hindu families use it for its epic heritage and calm sound.

How do you pronounce Shaantanu?

Shaantanu is pronounced SHAHN-tuh-noo.

Is Shaantanu a boy or girl name?

Shaantanu is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.