Bhavani

Bhavani meaning

Bhavani (भवानी) is a Hindu girl's name of Sanskrit origin.

A goddess, wife of Shiva, identified with Parvati

Also used to mean: goddess parvati

Bhavani (भवानी) is the feminine of Bhava, "existence", a Vedic name of Shiva, so it means the consort of Bhava. Monier-Williams records Bhavānī as a goddess later identified with Parvati, Shiva's wife in her amiable form, and also as the name of a river. Baby-name lists give it as Goddess Parvati. Bhavani is especially revered in Maharashtra: the Tulja Bhavani temple at Tuljapur is a major shrine, and the goddess was the family deity of Chhatrapati Shivaji, whose sword is remembered as the Bhavani talwar. The Bhavani river flows through Tamil Nadu.

In Hindu tradition this is a name of Parvati.

Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 749 · entry bhavānī · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Monier-Williams, bhavānī, p. 749 · Hindupedia, Bhavani

Famous namesakes

• Tulja Bhavani, the goddess of Tuljapur

Fits your syllable

First sound भ

Mula nakshatra, pada 3 · Dhanu rashi

This exact sound isn't in the table; the closest is भा, which differs only in vowel length. North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.

Spellings

Bhavani · Bhawani · Bhavanee

Related names

Also meaning goddess

Also starting with Bha-

More Sanskrit names

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