'Siva' originates from Sanskrit, specifically the word 'Śiva', where 'śiva' meant 'auspicious' or 'kind'.

'Siva' passed through Prakrit and other Middle Indo-Aryan languages and entered English as a transliteration of Sanskrit/Hindi forms; the variant spelling 'Shiva' also developed, and both forms are used in modern English.

Initially, it meant 'auspicious' and referred to a Vedic deity; over time it became primarily the proper name of the Hindu god and also a common personal name.