The name "''Khandoba"'' comes from the words "''[[khadga"]]'' (sword), the weapon used by Khandoba to kill the demons, and "the suffix ''ba"'' (father). "Another name ''Khanderaya"'' means "king Khandoba". Another variant is "''Khanderao"'', where the suffix "''[[Rai (title)|rao"]]'' (king) is used. In [[Sanskrit]] texts, Khandoba is known as Martanda Bhairava, a combination of ''[[Martanda]]'' (an epithet of the solar deity [[Surya]]) and Shiva's fierce form [[Bhairava]]. The name ''Mallari'' or ''Malhari'' is split as ''Malla'' and ''ari'' (enemy), thus meaning "enemy of the demon Malla". The ''Malhari Mahatmya'' records Martanda Bhairava, pleased with the bravery of Malla, takes the name "Mallari" (the enemy of Malla).<ref>Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p.314</ref> Other variants include ''[[Malanna]]'' (''Mallanna'') and ''[[Mailara]]'' (''Mailar''). Other names include ''Khandu Gavda'', ''Mhalsa-kant'' ("husband of Mhalsa") and ''Jejurica Vani''.<ref>Sontheimer in Feldhaus p.115</ref>
In [[Sanskrit]] texts, Khandoba is known as Martanda Bhairava or [[Surya]], a combination of the solar deity [[Martanda]] and Shiva's fierce form [[Bhairava]]. The name "Mallari" or "Malhari" is split as "Malla" and "ari" (enemy), thus meaning "enemy of the demon Malla". ''Malhari Mahatmya'' records Martanda Bhairava, pleased with the bravery of Malla, takes the name "Mallari" (the enemy of Malla).<ref>Sontheimer in Hiltebeitel p.314</ref> Other variants include Malanna (Mallanna) and Mailara (Mailar).
Khandoba is sometimes identified with '''Muneeshwara''' of [[Tamil Nadu|Dharmapuri]] '''Mallanna''' of [[Andhra Pradesh|Telangana]], '''MallikarjunaSwamy''' of [[Andhra Pradesh|Andhrapradesh]] and '''Mailara'''/'''Mallayya''' of [[Karnataka]]. Other names include Khandu Gavda, Mhalsa-kant ("husband of Mhalsa") and Jejurica Vani.<ref>Sontheimer in Feldhaus p.115</ref>
