Shashank (also spelled Shashanka or Śaśāṅka, Sanskrit: शशाङ्क) is a masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, widely used in the Indian subcontinent. Beyond its use as a personal name, Shashank functions as a poetic and mythological epithet of the Moon in Hindu religious and literary traditions.

The name derives from the Sanskrit words śaśa (शश, 'hare') and aṅka (अङ्क, 'mark' or 'spot'), reflecting the ancient Indian belief that the Moon bears the image of a hare.

In Hindu cosmology and literature, Shashank refers to the Moon as “the one marked by a hare”. The association appears in Vedic hymns, epic poetry, and Shaiva theological texts. The deity Shiva is often depicted with a crescent moon on his matted locks, earning him the epithet Shashankashekhara (शशाङ्कशेखर), or 'He who wears the Moon (Shashank) as a crest'.

Scriptural references include:

In Jyotisha (Hindu astrology), the Moon governs emotions, the mind, and maternal qualities.

In classical Sanskrit literature, Shashank evokes serenity, beauty, and romantic imagery.

In Tantric and Kundalini yogic traditions, Shashank symbolizes meditative and cooling energy.

In Shaiva theology, the crescent moon worn by Shiva represents the cyclical nature of time and the regulation of cosmic rhythms. Shashank thus becomes a symbol of divine control over time, transformation, and inner consciousness.