The Sanskrit word "NASTIKA" is commonly interpreted in Indic languages to mean "disbelief in God" or an Atheist

However, the origins of the word had nothing to do with God or divinity
It is a composite word joining two words "Na" meaning "does not/no" and "Asti" meaning "exist", anyone rejecting the Vedas or Vedic philosophy was considered as a "Nastika". That is because in ancient indic society, it was basically Brahminism, meaning only Brahmins and certain privileged persons were allowed to read the Vedas, thus had control over religion, anyone who opposed/rejected Brahminism was automatically assumed to be rejecting the Vedas thus "Nastika".
"Atheism" is "Nirishwaravad"(निरीश्वरवाद) or "belief in non existence of God", thus, an atheist is "Nirinshwaravadi"(निरीश्वरवादी).
Siddhartha Gautama "Buddha" was a "nastika" because he rejected the Vedas, however Buddhism or Buddhist philosophy is "Nirishwaravad". Over time, with infusion of Tantrism into Buddhism, it is no longer purely "nirisharavaad" because Buddhist sects like Vajrayana school have deities.
There also exists the "Nirishwaravad" school of thought under the overall ambit of Sanatana philosophy, thus being a "nastika" is de facto not a bad thing or taboo. Unlike the monotheist religions where absolute belief and submission to the Devine/God is mandatory, thus leading them to be unable to comprehend Atheism/निरीश्वरवाद
Atheism निरीश्वरवाद, nir-īśvara-vāda, lit. “statement of no Lord”, “doctrine of godlessness” or disbelief in God or Gods has been a historically propounded viewpoint in many of the prominent streams of Indian philosophy. Atheism and agnosticism have a long history in India and flourished within the so called Śramaṇa movement since the axial age. Most Indian Philosophies consider atheism to be acceptable
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