Declining since 2004, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Vinay since 1971
Babies named Vinay per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 120 |
| 1980s | 239 |
| 1990s | 263 |
| 2000s | 319 |
| 2010s | 159 |
| 2020s | 39 |
Meaning & origin
Vinay first appeared on the U.S. baby name charts in 1971. Its peak popularity came in 2003, but since 2004 the name has been in decline, reflecting a broader trend away from traditional Indian names among some diaspora families. In 2025 it ranked 9,714, with roughly 1 in 244,011 newborns receiving the name. While no U.S. states top the list for Vinay, the name remains a steady, quiet presence among Indian-American families, valued for its straightforward meaning of modesty. Its Sanskrit roots and association with Hindu virtues give it cultural depth, yet it remains accessible across linguistic boundaries.
Vinay derives from the Sanskrit word vinaya, meaning 'modesty' or 'humility.' It is a common given name in India, particularly among Hindu families, and is also found as a surname. The name has been used for centuries in the Indian subcontinent and appears in classical Sanskrit literature.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Vinu, Vin
Variants: Vinaya
Sibling names for Vinay
Names that share Vinay's style, for a brother or sister.
