Chiraag
A Hindu name meaning "lamp" or "light".
Name Census estimates that about 13 living Americans carry the first name Chiraag. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Chiraag today is around 29 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Chiraag births was 1991 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Chiraag. 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.
For a British comparison, Name Census UK has a UK baby-name profile for Chiraag with official rankings and popularity over time.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Chiraag. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
13
~ 1 in 26,365,718 Americans
Peak year
1991
7 babies that year
Average age
29
years old
2002 SSA rank
#9,581
Tracked since 1991
Popularity
Chiraag: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Chiraag from the 1990s through to the 2000s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 7 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Chiraag 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 Chiraag during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Chiraag
The name Chiraag has its origins in the Sanskrit language, rooted in the ancient Hindu civilization of the Indian subcontinent. Derived from the Sanskrit word "chirag," meaning "lamp" or "light," the name holds a symbolic significance of illumination and guidance.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Chiraag can be traced back to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In this ancient text, the name is associated with wisdom and enlightenment, reflecting the importance of knowledge and spiritual pursuits in the Hindu tradition.
During the medieval period, the name Chiraag gained popularity among the Hindu and Buddhist communities in South Asia. It was often bestowed upon individuals who were considered scholarly or spiritually inclined, as the name carried connotations of brightness and clarity of thought.
Over the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Chiraag. One of the earliest recorded figures was Chiraag Brahman, a renowned Hindu philosopher and scholar who lived in the 12th century CE. His writings on spirituality and metaphysics continue to influence Hindu thought to this day.
In the realm of literature, Chiraag Kavi was a celebrated poet from the 16th century, known for his lyrical compositions that explored themes of love, devotion, and the human experience. His works have been preserved and studied by scholars and literary enthusiasts alike.
Another historical figure of note was Chiraag Singh, a valiant warrior and commander who fought in the battles against the Mughal Empire during the 17th century. His bravery and leadership skills were highly revered, and his name has become synonymous with courage and valor.
In more recent times, Chiraag Amin was a prominent Indian activist and social reformer in the early 20th century. He dedicated his life to improving the lives of the underprivileged and championing causes such as education and women's rights.
Last but not least, Chiraag Virani was a renowned architect from the late 20th century, whose innovative designs and sustainable approaches to construction earned him numerous accolades and recognition worldwide. His architectural marvels continue to inspire and influence the field to this day.
People
Chiraag + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Chiraag as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with C
Other first names starting with C with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Chiraag: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Chiraag?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 13 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Chiraag 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 26,365,718 US residents.
Is Chiraag a common name?
We classify Chiraag as "Very Rare". It ranks above 33.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 13 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Chiraag most popular?
The single biggest year for Chiraag was 1991, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Chiraag is about 29 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 Chiraag in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Chiraag a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Chiraag 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 Chiraag still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Chiraag 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 Chiraag 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 have the name Chiraag?
See how many people have the name Chiraag on HowManyOfMe.org, our sister site built around that single question.