Declining since 2002, #4,539 for boys today.
Popularity of Raj since 1950
Babies named Raj per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 78 |
| 1970s | 196 |
| 1980s | 292 |
| 1990s | 496 |
| 2000s | 587 |
| 2010s | 372 |
| 2020s | 150 |
Meaning & origin
Raj is a name of Sanskrit origin meaning 'king,' a concise and regal choice that has seen consistent use in the United States since at least 1950. Its peak popularity occurred in 2003, when it reached its highest rank, but since 2002 its trajectory has been falling, and in 2025 it ranked 4539 with an incidence of 1 in 77,640. While not among the most common names, Raj has maintained a steady presence, reflecting its continued appreciation among Indian-American families and others drawn to its royal meaning and short, powerful sound.
Raj derives from the Sanskrit root rāj-, meaning 'to rule' or 'to shine.' It is the masculine counterpart of Rani (queen) and appears in compound names like Rajendra and Rajiv. As a standalone name, Raj became popular in India and among the diaspora during the 20th century, often chosen for its regal connotation and simplicity. It also gained international recognition through Indian culture and influential figures such as Raj Kapoor.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Raju
Variants: Rajah
Sibling names for Raj
Names that share Raj's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Rani, Anika, Priya, Neha, Maya, Shanta, Indira, Pooja, Ranee, Sona, Latika, Payal, Puja, Sandhya, Sapna, Seema, Sunita, Vinita, Amita, Arti, Jyoti, Poonam, Rachna, Ritu, Rupal, Shefali, Shweta, Sweta, Chandrika, Kavitha, Keerat, Preethi, Smita
Brothers: Ravi, Vijay, Amit, Sanjay, Arjun, Rishi, Vikram, Karan, Vishal, Deepak, Nitin, Prem, Alok, Ashok, Kishan, Kumar, Manoj, Ranvir, Ganesh, Janard, Ranjit, Sanjit, Sanjiv, Santosh, Vikash
