Raj Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Raj' originates from the Sanskrit word for 'king', reflecting authority and leadership. It has evolved through various forms in Prakrit and Old Hindi, maintaining its royal significance. The name is widely used in South Asia, particularly among the Indian nobility, and has retained a positive connotation in modern times. There is no direct biblical relevance associated with the name.
The name Raj 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, Raj 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, 'Raj' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 5059th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2276th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1911th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2184th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3609th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Raj' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Raj"
Pronunciation
/rɑːdʒ/
Origin
Sanskrit
Etymology
The name 'Raj' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'राज' (rāja), which means 'king' or 'rule'. It reflects a sense of authority and leadership.
Meaning
king, rule
Language Evolution
Sanskrit: राजा (rāja), Prakrit: रज (raja), Old Hindi: राज (rāj)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in South Asia due to its royal connotations and has been used historically among various Indian royalty and nobility.
Variants & Derivatives
Raja, Rajesh, Rajendra
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, 'Raj' is a common name in India and among the Indian diaspora, often associated with leadership qualities and cultural pride.
Famous People
Raj Kapoor, Rajinikanth, Rajesh Khanna
Explore More Raj Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Raj"
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 "Raj"
"Raj" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 5059th of 7552 | 32 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2276th of 10718 | 280 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1911th of 16616 | 591 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 2184th of 24088 | 884 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3609th of 23106 | 368 |
Regional Popularity of "Raj" 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) |
- | - | - |
41.02% 1659th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
46.95% 1730th/3685 |
25.59% 1145th/4475 |
53.58% 2783rd/5194 |
29.51% 1864th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
42.99% 1970th/4582 |
27.52% 1421st/5164 |
33.63% 2459th/7313 |
29.20% 2179th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.99% 3187th/3984 |
60.71% 2724th/4487 |
62.77% 4282nd/6822 |
39.07% 2452nd/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Raj" 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 "Raj"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Raj" 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.