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

September 07, 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 of Shiva	Meaning
1	Om Shivaya Namah	The auspicious and benevolent one
2	Om Maheshvaraya Namah	The great lord
3	Om Shambhave Namah	The source and giver of happiness
4	Om Pinakine Namah	The one who holds the Pinaka bow
5	Om Shashishekharaya Namah	The one who wears the moon on his head
6	Om Vamadevaya Namah	The beautiful and auspicious one
7	Om Virupakshaya Namah	The one with a third or extraordinary eye
8	Om Kapardine Namah	The one with matted hair
9	Om Nilalohitaya Namah	The one who is blue and red in appearance
10	Om Shankaraya Namah	The one who brings happiness and prosperity
11	Om Shulapanine Namah	The one who holds the trident
12	Om Khatvangine Namah	The one who carries the Khatvanga weapon
13	Om Vishnuvallabhaya Namah	The one who is dear to Lord Vishnu
14	Om Shipivishtaya Namah	The one who emits divine rays of light
15	Om Ambikanathaya Namah	The husband of Goddess Ambika
16	Om Shrikanthaya Namah	The one with a beautiful and glorious neck
17	Om Bhaktavatsalaya Namah	The one who deeply loves his devotees
18	Om Bhavaya Namah	The one who manifests as existence itself
19	Om Sharvaya Namah	The one who destroys suffering and sins
20	Om Trilokeshaya Namah	The lord of the three worlds
21	Om Shitikanthaya Namah	The one with a white or pale throat
22	Om Shivapriyaya Namah	The one who is beloved of Goddess Parvati
23	Om Ugraya Namah	The fierce and powerful one
24	Om Kapaline Namah	The one who wears a garland of skulls
25	Om Kamaraye Namah	The enemy of Kamadeva and conqueror of desire
26	Om Andhakasurasudanaya Namah	The slayer of the demon Andhaka
27	Om Gangadharaya Namah	The one who holds Goddess Ganga in his matted hair
28	Om Lalatakshaya Namah	The one who has an eye on his forehead
29	Om Kalakalaya Namah	The one who is the destroyer of time and death
30	Om Kripanidhaye Namah	The ocean of compassion
31	Om Bhimaya Namah	The immensely powerful and formidable one
32	Om Parashuhastaya Namah	The one who holds an axe
33	Om Mrigapanaye Namah	The one who holds the deer, symbolising the restless mind
34	Om Jatadharaya Namah	The one who wears matted locks
35	Om Kailasavasine Namah	The one who resides on Mount Kailash
36	Om Kavachine Namah	The one who wears protective armour
37	Om Kathoraya Namah	The strong and powerful one
38	Om Tripurantakaya Namah	The one who destroyed Tripura
39	Om Vrishankaya Namah	The one whose flag bears the symbol of Nandi
40	Om Vrishabharudhaya Namah	The one who rides Nandi, the sacred bull
41	Om Bhasmoddhulitavigrahaya Namah	The one whose body is covered with sacred ash
42	Om Samapriyaya Namah	The one who is fond of the Sama Veda
43	Om Svaramayaya Namah	The one who exists in the seven musical notes
44	Om Trayimurtaye Namah	The one who embodies the three Vedas
45	Om Anishvaraya Namah	The one who has no superior and is himself the supreme lord
46	Om Sarvajnaya Namah	The all-knowing one
47	Om Paramatmane Namah	The Supreme Soul
48	Om Somasuryagnilochanaya Namah	The one whose three eyes are the Moon, Sun, and Fire
49	Om Havishe Namah	The one who is the very form of the sacred offering
50	Om Yajnamayaya Namah	The one who embodies the sacred sacrifice
51	Om Somaya Namah	The calm and pure one, like the Moon
52	Om Panchavaktraya Namah	The one with five faces
53	Om Sadashivaya Namah	The eternally auspicious one
54	Om Vishveshvaraya Namah	The lord of the entire universe
55	Om Virabhadraya Namah	The fierce and powerful one
56	Om Gananathaya Namah	The lord of all the Ganas
57	Om Prajapataye Namah	The lord of all beings
58	Om Hiranyaretase Namah	The one who possesses radiance like a thousand suns
59	Om Durdharshaya Namah	The one who cannot be defeated
60	Om Girishaya Namah	The lord of the mountains
61	Om Girishaya Namah	The one who dwells upon Mount Kailash
62	Om Anaghaya Namah	The one who is free from sin
63	Om Bhujangabhushanaya Namah	The one who wears serpents as ornaments
64	Om Bhargaya Namah	The one who destroys all sins
65	Om Giridhanvine Namah	The one whose bow is Mount Meru
66	Om Giripriyaya Namah	The one who loves the mountains
67	Om Krittivasase Namah	The one who wears an elephant skin
68	Om Purarataye Namah	The destroyer of Tripura
69	Om Bhagavate Namah	The divine and glorious one
70	Om Pramathadhipaya Namah	The lord of the Pramatha Ganas
71	Om Mrityunjayaya Namah	The conqueror of death
72	Om Sukshmatanave Namah	The one with a subtle and divine form
73	Om Jagadvyapine Namah	The one who pervades the entire universe
74	Om Jagadgurave Namah	The teacher and guide of the universe
75	Om Vyomakeshaya Namah	The one whose hair extends through the vast sky
76	Om Mahasenajanakaya Namah	The father of Lord Kartikeya
77	Om Charuvikramaya Namah	The one with beautiful and powerful valour
78	Om Rudraya Namah	The fierce and powerful one
79	Om Bhutapataye Namah	The lord of beings and the five elements
80	Om Sthanave Namah	The eternal and immovable one
81	Om Ahirbudhnyaya Namah	The one associated with the serpent of the deep
82	Om Digambaraya Namah	The one who has the directions as his clothing
83	Om Ashtamurtaye Namah	The one who has eight forms
84	Om Anekatmane Namah	The one who exists in many forms
85	Om Sattvikaya Namah	The one who is supremely pure and sattvic
86	Om Shuddhavigrahaya Namah	The one whose form is completely pure
87	Om Shashvataya Namah	The eternal and imperishable one
88	Om Khandaparashave Namah	The one who holds a broken axe
89	Om Ajaya Namah	The unborn and eternal one
90	Om Pashavimochakaya Namah	The one who frees beings from worldly bondage
91	Om Mridaya Namah	The one who bestows happiness
92	Om Pashupataye Namah	The lord of all living beings
93	Om Devaya Namah	The divine and worshipped lord
94	Om Mahadevaya Namah	The great god and lord of the gods
95	Om Avyayaya Namah	The imperishable one
96	Om Haraye Namah	The one who removes sins and suffering
97	Om Pushadantabhide Namah	The one who broke the teeth of Pushan
98	Om Avyagraya Namah	The calm, steady, and unwavering one
99	Om Dakshadhvaraharaya Namah	The one who destroyed Daksha’s sacrifice
100	Om Haraya Namah	The remover of sins and suffering
101	Om Bhaganetrabhide Namah	The one who damaged the eye of Bhaga
102	Om Avyaktaya Namah	The one who is beyond visible form
103	Om Sahasrakshaya Namah	The one with a thousand eyes
104	Om Sahasrapade Namah	The one with a thousand feet
105	Om Apavargapradaya Namah	The giver of liberation or moksha
106	Om Anantaya Namah	The endless and infinite one
107	Om Tarakaya Namah	The liberator and saviour
108	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.

The most important part is devotion and a peaceful mind.

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.

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