Gurnav
A Hindu masculine name derived from Sanskrit components meaning "praiseworthy" or "renowned".
Name Census estimates that about 7 living Americans carry the first name Gurnav. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Gurnav today is around 7 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Gurnav births was 2019 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Gurnav. 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 Gurnav with official rankings and popularity over time.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Gurnav. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
7
~ 1 in 48,964,905 Americans
Peak year
2019
7 babies that year
Average age
7
years old
2019 SSA rank
#10,103
Tracked since 2019
Popularity
Gurnav: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Gurnav 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 Gurnav 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 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Gurnav
The name Gurnav has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the Sanskrit language. It is derived from the combination of two Sanskrit words: 'guru,' which means teacher or master, and 'nav,' which translates to new or fresh. Thus, the name Gurnav can be interpreted as "a new teacher" or "a fresh master."
This name gained prominence during the medieval period in India, particularly among Hindu communities. It was often bestowed upon individuals who were respected for their knowledge and wisdom, especially in the fields of spirituality, philosophy, and education.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Gurnav can be found in ancient Sanskrit texts dating back to the 9th century CE. These texts mention a revered scholar and teacher by the name of Gurnav Acharya, who was renowned for his contributions to the study of Vedic literature and Hindu philosophy.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Gurnav. One such individual was Gurnav Mishra (1420-1498), a celebrated poet and playwright from the Vijayanagara Empire in southern India. His works, such as the epic poem "Navaratna Katha," were widely acclaimed and have had a lasting impact on Indian literature.
In the 16th century, Gurnav Singh (1540-1612) was a prominent military leader and strategist who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He played a crucial role in several military campaigns and was known for his tactical brilliance and valor on the battlefield.
Moving forward in time, Gurnav Kaur (1745-1820) was a renowned Sikh warrior and poet who fought against the oppressive forces of the Mughal Empire. Her courageous exploits and powerful verses inspired many in the fight for freedom and justice.
Another notable figure was Gurnav Chandra Ghosh (1890-1965), an influential Indian educator and social reformer. He dedicated his life to promoting education and advocating for the rights of underprivileged communities in Bengal.
Gurnav Prakash (1925-2005) was a celebrated Indian classical musician and exponent of the Hindustani vocal tradition. He was widely regarded as one of the foremost vocalists of his time and was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards and honors.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Gurnav and made significant contributions to various fields, such as literature, arts, education, and social reform.
People
Gurnav + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Gurnav as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Gurnav: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Gurnav?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 7 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Gurnav 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 48,964,905 US residents.
Is Gurnav a common name?
We classify Gurnav as "Very Rare". It ranks above 23.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 7 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Gurnav most popular?
The single biggest year for Gurnav was 2019, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Gurnav is about 7 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 Gurnav in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Gurnav a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Gurnav 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 Gurnav still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Gurnav 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 Gurnav 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 Gurnav?
Find out how many people have the name Gurnav on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — a quick modern estimate with the living-bearer count front and centre.