Shashi (Sanskrit: शशि) is a traditional name for the moon in Sanskrit, literally meaning 'having a hare'. In Hindu mythology, the moon is associated with a hare, a feature seen in lunar markings that are interpreted as a hare shape. Shashi is a transcription of both the masculine form शशि (Shashi) and the feminine form शशी (Shashī, with a long final vowel), making it a unisex name though often given to boys.
Etymology
The word shashin (शशिन्) is derived from śaśa (hare), a reference to the moon's spots. The name Shashi is borne by several notable figures. In India, Shashi Tharoor (born 1956) is a well-known politician, writer, and former UN official from Kerala. Other prominent peers include Shashi Kapoor, the late Bollywood actor (born 1938), and Shashi Deshpande, a renowned Kannada author (born 1938).
Related Forms
A variant, Sashi, is used in Kannada and other Indian languages. The name is popular across Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, and Telugu communities, reflecting the lunar imagery valued in Hindu culture.
- Meaning: 'having a hare', a poetic name for the moon
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Type: First name
- Usage: Bengali, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Telugu
Variants
Sources: Wiktionary — Shashi