Rising since 2003, #3,949 for boys today.
Popularity of Vir since 2002
Babies named Vir per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 95 |
| 2010s | 198 |
| 2020s | 158 |
Meaning & origin
Vir is a masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning 'brave' or 'heroic.' First recorded in U.S. births in 2002, its usage has been steadily rising, with a peak rank of #3763 in 2022. In 2025 it ranked #3949, occurring in roughly 1 in 63,262 births. The name is most popular in California and reflects a broader trend toward short, meaningful names from ancient languages. Vir's etymology connects it to the Proto-Indo-European root for 'man' or 'hero,' sharing linguistic heritage with Latin 'vir' (man) and English 'virile.' Though ancient in India, its modern adoption in the U.S. is a relatively recent phenomenon, aligning with a growing appreciation for global names with strong semantic roots.
Vir comes directly from Sanskrit वीर (vīra) meaning 'brave, heroic, courageous', ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós 'man, hero'. The name is ancient in India, appearing in the Vedas and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana as a common epithet for warriors. It remains a popular given name in modern Hindu families across India and the diaspora.
Where Vir is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Vir
Names that share Vir's style, for a brother or sister.
