Rahul Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Rahul originates from Sanskrit, meaning 'conqueror of all miseries' or 'one who overcomes obstacles'. It evolved from 'Rahula' in ancient texts to its modern usage in various Indian languages. The name is often associated with strength and intelligence, with no biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 20th century and remains a common name in contemporary Indian society.
The name Rahul is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Rahul has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Rahul' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2245th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1410th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1283rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6184th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Rahul' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Rahul"
Pronunciation
/ˈrɑːhʊl/
Origin
Sanskrit
Etymology
The name Rahul is derived from the Sanskrit word 'rahula', which means 'conqueror of all miseries' or 'one who is able to overcome obstacles'. It is also associated with the Buddha's son.
Meaning
conqueror of all miseries, one who overcomes obstacles
Language Evolution
Rahula (Sanskrit), Rahul (Modern Hindi)
Historical Usage
The name Rahul gained popularity in India and among Buddhists due to its association with Gautama Buddha's son, and it has been used in various cultures since the 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Rahul (Modern Hindi), Rahul (Bengali), Rahool (Variations in spelling)
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Rahul is a popular name in India and among Indian communities worldwide. It is often associated with intelligence, strength, and leadership.
Famous People
Rahul Gandhi (Indian politician), Rahul Dravid (Indian cricketer), Rahul Bose (Indian actor and director)
Explore More Rahul Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Rahul"
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 "Rahul"
"Rahul" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2245th of 10718 | 287 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1410th of 16616 | 947 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1283rd of 24088 | 1,924 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6184th of 23106 | 166 |
Regional Popularity of "Rahul" 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) |
53.22% 1563rd/2937 |
47.26% 1646th/3483 |
61.74% 2172nd/3518 |
45.99% 1860th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
33.79% 1245th/3685 |
19.26% 862nd/4475 |
39.64% 2059th/5194 |
20.48% 1294th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
28.87% 1323rd/4582 |
14.93% 771st/5164 |
23.18% 1695th/7313 |
14.08% 1051st/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
79.30% 3558th/4487 |
70.54% 4812th/6822 |
65.98% 4141st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Rahul" 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) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Rahul"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Rahul" 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.