As a deity name
Name 543 of the Shiva Sahasranāma — Mahabharata (Anushasana Parva), as taught by Sage Tandi to Sage Upamanyu
As a Hindi name
No reading on this path — this spelling has no entry in our Hindi sources, and no near neighbour is attested there either. We say so rather than invent one.
As a Sanskrit word
Meaning
as, a flock, troop, multitude, number, tribe, series, class (of animate or inanimate beings), body of followers or attendants, &c.
Scripturally attested Verified split — attested membersMultiple readings (6)Why this matches what you typed
M1 · same meaning "gaṇāya" is the dative of "gaṇa" — the same word in a different grammatical case.
Dictionary citations
gaṇa as, m. a flock, troop, multitude, number, tribe, series, class (of animate or inanimate beings), body of followers or attendants, RV.; AV. &c.
troops or classes of inferior deities (especially certain troops of demi-gods considered as Śiva's attendants and under the special superintendence of the god Gaṇeśa; cf. -devatā), Mn.; Yājñ.; Lalit. &c.
Alternative readings
More than one analysis survives full verification. That ambiguity is real, so we show every reading rather than pick one silently.
Caveats
Sources contain errors and engines have limits; every claim above carries its citation so you can verify it. This is guidance about names and their sources — not religious or astrological consultation. How we work · Our sources