Anil first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Anil has been for the last 46 years (from 1974 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Anil

An Indian masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "deep blue" or "indestructible".

Popularity of Anil by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Anil is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Anil.

Year Male Count Female Count
2019 9 0
2018 6 0
2017 5 0
2014 5 0
2013 7 0
2012 6 0
2011 7 0
2010 10 0
2009 10 0
2008 12 0
2007 6 0
2006 10 0
2005 10 0
2004 9 0
2003 12 0
2002 16 0
2001 20 0
2000 28 0
1999 20 0
1998 26 0
1997 27 0
1996 19 0
1995 22 0
1994 22 0
1993 28 0
1992 25 0
1991 34 0
1990 37 0
1989 46 0
1988 25 0
1987 41 0
1986 24 0
1985 31 0
1984 35 0
1983 37 0
1982 30 0
1981 32 0
1980 33 0
1979 42 0
1978 33 0
1977 27 0
1976 26 0
1975 39 0
1974 39 0

The history of the first name Anil

Anil is a masculine given name that originated in India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "anila," which means "air" or "wind." The name has been in use since ancient times and is mentioned in various Hindu scriptures and texts.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Anil can be found in the Rigveda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures dating back to around 1500-1000 BCE. In the Rigveda, Anil is mentioned as one of the names of the wind god, Vayu.

In Hindu mythology, Anil is also the name of one of the nine Navagrahās (celestial beings) and is associated with the planet Mars. The name is believed to bring strength, courage, and leadership qualities to those who bear it.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have been named Anil. One of the earliest recorded examples is Anil Bhatta, an Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 8th century CE. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and wrote several treatises on the subject.

Another famous Anil in history was Anil Kumble, an Indian cricketer who played for the Indian national team from 1990 to 2008. He was a skilled leg-spinner and is considered one of the greatest bowlers in Indian cricket history. Anil Kumble was born in 1970 and retired from international cricket in 2008.

Anil Ambani, an Indian business tycoon and the chairman of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, is another prominent individual with the name Anil. He was born in 1959 and has been involved in various business ventures, including telecommunications, entertainment, and financial services.

In the field of literature, Anil Kamal Jaynawas was a renowned Hindi novelist and short story writer. He was born in 1925 and is known for his works that explored social issues and the lives of ordinary people in India.

Lastly, Anil Kapoor is a highly acclaimed Indian actor who has appeared in numerous Bollywood films and television shows. He was born in 1959 and is best known for his roles in films like "Mr. India," "Taal," and "Slumdog Millionaire," for which he received international recognition.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals named Anil throughout history, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and significance of this name in various fields.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Anil was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Anil, please contact us.

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"Anil first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 13, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/anil-meaning-and-history/.

"Anil first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/anil-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 May, 2025

Anil first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/anil-meaning-and-history/.

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