Avtej
A masculine Indian name of Sanskrit origin meaning "protected by fire".
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Avtej. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Avtej today is around 9 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Avtej births was 2017 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Avtej. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Avtej. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
2017
6 babies that year
Average age
9
years old
2017 SSA rank
#10,913
Tracked since 2017
Popularity
Avtej: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Avtej by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Avtej during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Avtej
The name Avtej originates from the Sanskrit language and has its roots in ancient Hindu culture. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "avtar," which means "incarnation" or "descent." This name holds significant religious and spiritual connotations, as it is often associated with the concept of divine avatars or incarnations of gods in Hindu mythology.
In the Puranas, ancient Hindu religious texts, the term "avtar" is used to describe the descent of a deity or supreme being into the physical realm to restore cosmic order, impart wisdom, or vanquish evil forces. The name Avtej may have been bestowed upon individuals believed to be avatars or incarnations of divine beings, or those who exhibited exceptional spiritual qualities.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Avtej can be traced back to the 6th century CE, when it was found inscribed on a stone tablet discovered in the Mathura region of northern India. This tablet is believed to have been a dedicatory offering to a Hindu temple.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Avtej. One such person was Avtej Singh (1670-1705), a prominent Sikh warrior and military commander who played a crucial role in the defense of the Sikh faith during the late 17th century. He was known for his bravery and devotion to the Sikh Gurus.
Another historical figure with the name Avtej was Avtej Rai (1802-1870), a renowned poet and scholar from the Indian subcontinent during the 19th century. His works, written in Persian and Urdu, explored themes of love, spirituality, and mysticism. He was celebrated for his mastery of language and poetic expression.
In the realm of literature, Avtej Puri (1928-2010) was a prolific writer and novelist from India. His novels, such as "The City of Laughter" and "The Archers," explored the complexities of human relationships and the socio-cultural landscapes of modern India. He was widely acclaimed for his insightful narratives and literary contributions.
Another noteworthy individual bearing the name Avtej was Avtej Kumar (1935-2002), a distinguished Indian diplomat and civil servant. He served as the Indian Ambassador to several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, and played a crucial role in shaping India's foreign policy during his tenure.
Avtej Kaur (1972-present) is a contemporary figure who has made her mark in the field of sports. She is a former Indian field hockey player and a recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award, one of India's highest sporting honors. Her achievements on the field have inspired many young athletes.
People
Avtej + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Avtej as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with A
Other first names starting with A with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Avtej: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Avtej?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Avtej going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 57,125,723 US residents.
Is Avtej a common name?
We classify Avtej as "Very Rare". It ranks above 22.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Avtej most popular?
The single biggest year for Avtej was 2017, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Avtej is about 9 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Avtej in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Avtej a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Avtej in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Avtej still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Avtej in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Avtej can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people share the name Avtej?
For a quick modern estimate, our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers that in one glance, with the living-bearer count front and centre.