Holding steady.
Popularity of Rajiv since 1962
Babies named Rajiv per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 51 |
| 1970s | 134 |
| 1980s | 272 |
| 1990s | 190 |
| 2000s | 121 |
| 2010s | 52 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Rajiv is a Sanskrit name meaning 'lotus' or 'striking,' long favored by Hindu families across India. Recorded in U.S. data since 1962, it reached its peak popularity in 1985, coinciding with the international prominence of Rajiv Gandhi. The name has remained stable in use, neither surging nor fading dramatically. Though not among the most common Indian names in the United States, it carries a distinguished cultural resonance.
Rajiv derives from the Sanskrit word 'rajiva' (रजीव), meaning 'striped' or 'marked,' often referring to a blue lotus or a zebu bull. It is an epithet of the Hindu god Shiva. The name has been common in India since ancient times and gained modern prominence after Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Raj, Raju
Sibling names for Rajiv
Names that share Rajiv's style, for a brother or sister.
