Vikram

What does Vikram mean?

Vikram means ‘valour’ or ‘prowess’ in Hindi, from Sanskrit vikrama. Wiktionary also records Sanskrit senses of a step or stride, alongside courage, strength and heroism. The word is built from an element meaning ‘step’, giving context to the connection between movement and prowess. The Hindi entry documents the given name and courage meaning directly. Its legendary royal association is additional context rather than the sole source of the meaning.

Source: Wiktionary, विक्रम. How we use sources.

Spelling and pronunciation

विक्रम is read vik-ram, in two Hindi syllables with short vowels. Vikrama retains the Sanskrit ending and has three syllables. Keep k and r together rather than inserting an extra vowel between them. The shorter form's final vowel is not a long aa.

Also spelled Vikrama.

Vikram in tradition and story

Vikram connects with the legendary king Vikramaditya of Ujjain and the stories told about his throne. The Vikram Samvat calendar era bears that royal name, giving the word a further cultural association beyond its dictionary meanings.