Shyam
Shyam is a boy's name of Sanskrit origin.
Meaning
Dark, black, or dark blue.
Origin and history
Shyam is a masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning 'dark', 'black', or 'blue'. In Hinduism, it is a well-known epithet of the deity Krishna, associated with his dark-skinned iconography. In the United States, it remains a relatively rare name primarily used within South Asian diaspora communities.
Popularity in the United States
754 babies in the United States have been named Shyam since 1880. It ranks #3922 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1884.
States where it is most popular
- NJ (57.6 %)
- CA (25.8 %)
- NY (9.1 %)
- TX (7.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 33 |
| 1980-1990 | 108 |
| 1990-2000 | 204 |
| 2000-2010 | 241 |
| 2010-2019 | 125 |
| 2020-2029 | 43 |
Famous people named Shyam
- Shyam Benegal: Director, Screenwriter
- Shyam Selvadurai: Novelist, Author
Fun facts
- In Hindu tradition, Shyam refers to the attractive dark-blue color often used to depict Lord Krishna.
- The root word appears frequently in classical Sanskrit poetry and devotional literature across South Asia.