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Raj

Raj: name meaning, origin and popularity

Boy name

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɹɑːd͡ʒ/ · /ɹɑːʒ/

Meaning and origin of Raj

Root meaning: “to right or straighten oneself; to govern, rule; just; right”

  • A male given name.
  • A diminutive of the male given name Rajiv.

Etymology

Proprialisation of raj (“(India) reign, rule”, noun), borrowed from Hindustani राज / راج (rāj, “reign, rule; empire, kingdom; country, state; royalty”), from Sanskrit राज्य (rājyá, “empire, kingdom, realm; kingship, royalty, sovereignty; country”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- (“to right or straighten oneself; to govern, rule; just; right”). Doublet of Reich.

How popular is Raj?

22U.S. babies in 2025
#1489peak rank (2003)
2,176babies since 1880

Since 1880, 2,176 boys in the U.S. have been named Raj. Its highest rank for boys was #1489 in 2003. In 2025, 22 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.

1880192019602000202588 peak/yr
U.S. births per year with this name, 1880–2025 (SSA)

Names similar to Raj

Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.

Sibling name ideas for Raj

Names that peaked around the same time as Raj and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.

Raj FAQ

What does the name Raj mean?

Raj traces back to a root meaning "to right or straighten oneself; to govern, rule; just; right". A male given name. A diminutive of the male given name Rajiv. Proprialisation of raj (“(India) reign, rule”, noun), borrowed from Hindustani राज / راج (rāj, “reign, rule; empire, kingdom; country, state; royalty”), from Sanskrit राज्य (rājyá, “empire, kingdom, realm; kingship, royalty, sovereignty; country”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- (“to right or straighten oneself; to govern, rule; just; right”). Doublet of Reich.

How popular is the name Raj?

Since 1880, 2,176 boys in the U.S. have been named Raj. Its highest rank for boys was #1489 in 2003. In 2025, 22 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.

Is Raj a boy or girl name?

Raj is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 0 girls and 2,176 boys since 1880.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.