108 Names of Lord Shiva with Meanings: The Complete Guide (Ashtottara Shatanamavali)

September 04, 2026

Lord Shiva is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. Shiva is known by many names and forms, such as Mahadev, Shankara, Neelkanth, and Pashupati. Each name reflects a unique quality, form, or aspect of Lord Shiva. Many prayers and pujas include these sacred names as a way of remembering and worshipping him.

The 108 names of Shiva, also known as the Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali, are 108 sacred names that describe the many forms and qualities of Lord Shiva. Devotees can chant these names of Shiva and understand their meanings during daily prayers or on special occasions such as Shivratri.

What Are The 108 Names of Lord Shiva?

The 108 Names of Lord Shiva are also known as Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali. The term Ashtottara Shatanamavali refers to a collection of 108 sacred names.

The names of Lord Shiva represent different aspects of him. Some names describe Lord Shiva’s appearance, some describe his powers, some describe his relationship with devotees, some describe his role in the universe, and some are connected with important incidents and stories related to Lord Shiva.

The 108 Names of Lord Shiva are used to remember and worship Lord Shiva while reflecting on his different forms and qualities.

Know 108 Names of Lord Shiva and Their Meanings

S. No.	Name	Mantra	Meaning
1	Shiva	Om Shivaya Namah	The auspicious and benevolent one
2	Maheshvara	Om Maheshvaraya Namah	The great lord
3	Shambhu	Om Shambhave Namah	The source and giver of happiness
4	Pinaki	Om Pinakine Namah	The one who holds the Pinaka bow
5	Shashishekhara	Om Shashishekharaya Namah	The one who wears the moon on his head
6	Vamadeva	Om Vamadevaya Namah	The beautiful and auspicious one
7	Virupaksha	Om Virupakshaya Namah	The one with a third or extraordinary eye
8	Kapardi	Om Kapardine Namah	The one with matted hair
9	Nilalohita	Om Nilalohitaya Namah	The one who is blue and red in appearance
10	Shankara	Om Shankaraya Namah	The one who brings happiness and prosperity
11	Shulapani	Om Shulapanine Namah	The one who holds the trident
12	Khatvangi	Om Khatvangine Namah	The one who carries the Khatvanga weapon
13	Vishnuvallabha	Om Vishnuvallabhaya Namah	The one who is dear to Lord Vishnu
14	Shipivishta	Om Shipivishtaya Namah	The one who emits divine rays of light
15	Ambikanatha	Om Ambikanathaya Namah	The husband of Goddess Ambika
16	Shrikantha	Om Shrikanthaya Namah	The one with a beautiful and glorious neck
17	Bhaktavatsala	Om Bhaktavatsalaya Namah	The one who deeply loves his devotees
18	Bhava	Om Bhavaya Namah	The one who manifests as existence itself
19	Sharva	Om Sharvaya Namah	The one who destroys suffering and sins
20	Trilokesha	Om Trilokeshaya Namah	The lord of the three worlds
21	Shitikantha	Om Shitikanthaya Namah	The one with a white or pale throat
22	Shivapriya	Om Shivapriyaya Namah	The one who is beloved of Goddess Parvati
23	Ugra	Om Ugraya Namah	The fierce and powerful one
24	Kapali	Om Kapaline Namah	The one who wears a garland of skulls
25	Kamari	Om Kamaraye Namah	The enemy of Kamadeva and conqueror of desire
26	Andhakasurasudana	Om Andhakasurasudanaya Namah	The slayer of the demon Andhaka
27	Gangadhara	Om Gangadharaya Namah	The one who holds Goddess Ganga in his matted hair
28	Lalataksha	Om Lalatakshaya Namah	The one who has an eye on his forehead
29	Kalakala	Om Kalakalaya Namah	The one who is the destroyer of time and death
30	Kripanidhi	Om Kripanidhaye Namah	The ocean of compassion
31	Bheema	Om Bhimaya Namah	The immensely powerful and formidable one
32	Parshuhasta	Om Parashuhastaya Namah	The one who holds an axe
33	Mrigapani	Om Mrigapanaye Namah	The one who holds the deer, symbolising the restless mind
34	Jatin	Om Jatadharaya Namah	The one who wears matted locks
35	Dhurjati	Om Kailasavasine Namah	The one who resides on Mount Kailash
36	Prashantatma	Om Kavachine Namah	The one who wears protective armour
37	Kamakshaya	Om Kathoraya Namah	The strong and powerful one
38	Kamasana	Om Tripurantakaya Namah	The one who destroyed Tripura
39	Kedareshvara	Om Vrishankaya Namah	The one whose flag bears the symbol of Nandi
40	Kandalash	Om Vrishabharudhaya Namah	The one who rides Nandi, the sacred bull
41	Shuchishetu	Om Bhasmoddhulitavigrahaya Namah	The one whose body is covered with sacred ash
42	Sharvarga	Om Samapriyaya Namah	The one who is fond of the Sama Veda
43	Bhalanetra	Om Svaramayaya Namah	The one who exists in the seven musical notes
44	Shuresha	Om Trayimurtaye Namah	The one who embodies the three Vedas
45	Anandakarana	Om Anishvaraya Namah	The one who has no superior and is himself the supreme lord
46	Atma	Om Sarvajnaya Namah	The all-knowing one
47	Siddha	Om Paramatmane Namah	The Supreme Soul
48	Pujya	Om Somasuryagnilochanaya Namah	The one whose three eyes are the Moon, Sun, and Fire
49	Sthani	Om Havishe Namah	The one who is the very form of the sacred offering
50	Vishveshvara	Om Yajnamayaya Namah	The one who embodies the sacred sacrifice
51	Pushkara	Om Somaya Namah	The calm and pure one, like the Moon
52	Kamesha	Om Panchavaktraya Namah	The one with five faces
53	Sarvagya	Om Sadashivaya Namah	The eternally auspicious one
54	Sarvago	Om Vishveshvaraya Namah	The lord of the entire universe
55	Kavi	Om Virabhadraya Namah	The fierce and powerful one
56	Kanchana	Om Gananathaya Namah	The lord of all the Ganas
57	Mahayogi	Om Prajapataye Namah	The lord of all beings
58	Maheshvara	Om Hiranyaretase Namah	The one who possesses radiance like a thousand suns
59	Bahurupa	Om Durdharshaya Namah	The one who cannot be defeated
60	Nishkalanka	Om Girishaya Namah	The lord of the mountains
61	Vashi	Om Girishaya Namah	The one who dwells upon Mount Kailash
62	Vyapi	Om Anaghaya Namah	The one who is free from sin
63	Nyayakarana	Om Bhujangabhushanaya Namah	The one who wears serpents as ornaments
64	Adhikari	Om Bhargaya Namah	The one who destroys all sins
65	Tapasvi	Om Giridhanvine Namah	The one whose bow is Mount Meru
66	Paramjyoti	Om Giripriyaya Namah	The one who loves the mountains
67	Prajapati	Om Krittivasase Namah	The one who wears an elephant skin
68	Pashupati	Om Purarataye Namah	The destroyer of Tripura
69	Pinakin	Om Bhagavate Namah	The divine and glorious one
70	Pranava	Om Pramathadhipaya Namah	The lord of the Pramatha Ganas
71	Varada	Om Mrityunjayaya Namah	The conqueror of death
72	Varenya	Om Sukshmatanave Namah	The one with a subtle and divine form
73	Maheshvara	Om Jagadvyapine Namah	The one who pervades the entire universe
74	Mahasena	Om Jagadgurave Namah	The teacher and guide of the universe
75	Avyaya	Om Vyomakeshaya Namah	The one whose hair extends through the vast sky
76	Pakshi	Om Mahasenajanakaya Namah	The father of Lord Kartikeya
77	Kanthika	Om Charuvikramaya Namah	The one with beautiful and powerful valour
78	Sarvadhara	Om Rudraya Namah	The fierce and powerful one
79	Sarvakarana	Om Bhutapataye Namah	The lord of beings and the five elements
80	Sthanu	Om Sthanave Namah	The eternal and immovable one
81	Ahirbudhanya	Om Ahirbudhnyaya Namah	The one associated with the serpent of the deep
82	Digambara	Om Digambaraya Namah	The one who has the directions as his clothing
83	Ashtamurti	Om Ashtamurtaye Namah	The one who has eight forms
84	Anekatma	Om Anekatmane Namah	The one who exists in many forms
85	Satvika	Om Sattvikaya Namah	The one who is supremely pure and sattvic
86	Shuddhavigraha	Om Shuddhavigrahaya Namah	The one whose form is completely pure
87	Shashvata	Om Shashvataya Namah	The eternal and imperishable one
88	Khandaparshu	Om Khandaparashave Namah	The one who holds a broken axe
89	Aja	Om Ajaya Namah	The unborn and eternal one
90	Pashvimochana	Om Pashavimochakaya Namah	The one who frees beings from worldly bondage
91	Mrida	Om Mridaya Namah	The one who bestows happiness
92	Deva	Om Pashupataye Namah	The lord of all living beings
93	Mahadeva	Om Devaya Namah	The divine and worshipped lord
94	Avyaya	Om Mahadevaya Namah	The great god and lord of the gods
95	Hari	Om Avyayaya Namah	The imperishable one
96	Bhagnetrabhid	Om Haraye Namah	The one who removes sins and suffering
97	Avyayat	Om Pushadantabhide Namah	The one who broke the teeth of Pushan
98	Dakshadhwarahara	Om Avyagraya Namah	The calm, steady, and unwavering one
99	Har	Om Dakshadhvaraharaya Namah	The one who destroyed Daksha’s sacrifice
100	Pushadantabhit	Om Haraya Namah	The remover of sins and suffering
101	Avyagra	Om Bhaganetrabhide Namah	The one who damaged the eye of Bhaga
102	Sahsraksha	Om Avyaktaya Namah	The one who is beyond visible form
103	Sahasrapada	Om Sahasrakshaya Namah	The one with a thousand eyes
104	Apavargaprada	Om Sahasrapade Namah	The one with a thousand feet
105	Ananta	Om Apavargapradaya Namah	The giver of liberation or moksha
106	Taraka	Om Anantaya Namah	The endless and infinite one
107	Parameshvara	Om Tarakaya Namah	The liberator and saviour
108	Sadashiva	Om Parameshvaraya Namah	The supreme lord

Why Lord Shiva's 108 Names Are Important

Shiva's 108 names represent different facets of Shiva in different forms. Each name reflects specific qualities, forms, stories, or aspects that Shiva possesses.

One of his names, Gangadhara, depicts Shiva as the Lord who holds Maa Ganga in his matted hair. Another name, Shashishekhara, means Shiva who wears the crescent moon on his head. Similarly, Mrityunjaya represents Shiva as the Lord who conquers death. Pashupati means the Lord of all living beings.

If one researches his names in detail, they reveal numerous forms of Shiva. These forms help people understand Shiva's different qualities and remember them during their prayers.

What Is Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali?

Ashtottara Shatanamavali is a Sanskrit name for Shiva’s 108 names. “Ashtottara Shata” refers to 108 (one hundred and eight), while “Namavali” refers to a collection or garland of names.

Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali is sung while performing Shiva puja. Each of the 108 names may be recited with offerings such as flowers, bilva leaves, datura, or water.

Chanting these 108 names is often heard during festivals and special occasions dedicated to Lord Shiva, including Mahashivratri.

Most Popular Names of Shiva

Shankar: One who brings happiness and prosperity.

Shambhu: The source and giver of happiness.

Mahakal: The lord of time and death.

Neelkanth: The blue-throated one who is associated with drinking the poison during the Samudra Manthan.

Rudra: The fierce and powerful form of Lord Shiva in the Vedic tradition.

Nataraja: The cosmic dancer and lord of the dance.

How to Chant the 108 Names of Lord Shiva

Basically, devotees don’t need to make the practice complicated. They can sit in a clean and peaceful area and remember Lord Shiva with a calm mind.

The 108 names can be chanted one by one with a chanting mala. Some devotees chant them during their daily puja time, while others prefer to chant them on a specific day such as Monday, Mahashivratri, or during other important festivals.

You can also read the 108 names of Shiva with meanings to understand each name while chanting.

Final Thoughts

Lord Shiva’s 108 names with their meanings offer a simple way to learn about the many forms and qualities of Mahadev. Every single name has its own meaning, and it also connects devotees with a different aspect of Lord Shiva.

From Shiva, the pure and auspicious one, to Mahadeva, the great god, and Parameshvara, the supreme lord, these 108 names of Lord Shiva are considered sacred.

Explore divine Shiva God Idols from Artarium and bring the presence and blessings of Mahadev into your home.