Pooja Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Pooja originates from Sanskrit, meaning worship or prayer. It has evolved primarily within Hindu culture and signifies devotion. The name has no biblical relevance and gained popularity in the 20th century in India. Common variants include Puja and Poojitha. Today, Pooja is viewed positively, associated with spirituality, and is a common name among Indian families.
The name Pooja is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Millennials (Gen Y) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Pooja has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Pooja' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 7405th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2015th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2947th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 16328th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Pooja' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Pooja"
Pronunciation
/ˈpuːdʒə/
Origin
Sanskrit
Etymology
The name Pooja derives from the Sanskrit word 'puja', which means worship or prayer. It is commonly used in Hindu culture to denote a ritual of devotion or reverence.
Meaning
Worship, prayer, devotion
Language Evolution
Sanskrit: पूजा (Pūjā), Hindi: पूजा (Pūjā), Other Indian languages: Similar forms are used across various Indian languages.
Historical Usage
The name Pooja gained popularity in India during the 20th century, especially among Hindu families, as it embodies spiritual significance and cultural heritage.
Variants & Derivatives
Puja, Poojitha, Pujita
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Pooja is perceived positively, often associated with spirituality and devotion. It remains a popular choice among parents naming their daughters in India.
Famous People
Pooja Bhatt - Indian actress and filmmaker, Pooja Hegde - Indian actress and model, Pooja Kumar - Indian-American actress
Explore More Pooja Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Pooja"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Pooja"
"Pooja" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 7405th of 19264 | 88 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2015th of 27321 | 984 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2947th of 35406 | 864 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 16328th of 30306 | 45 |
Regional Popularity of "Pooja" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Pooja" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
56.26% 2073rd/3685 |
23.82% 1066th/4475 |
55.06% 2860th/5194 |
30.68% 1938th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
48.58% 2226th/4582 |
29.55% 1526th/5164 |
56.88% 4160th/7313 |
39.58% 2954th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Pooja"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Pooja" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.