Find out how popular the first name Niraj has been for the last 45 years (from 1975 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Niraj by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Niraj is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Niraj.

The history of the first name Niraj

The name Niraj has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language from the Indian subcontinent. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words 'nir' meaning 'without' and 'raj' meaning 'dust' or 'impurity'. Together, the name Niraj can be interpreted to mean 'pure' or 'without impurity'.

The earliest recorded use of the name Niraj can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, where it was often used as a descriptive term for deities or spiritual beings embodying purity and divinity. In the Vedas, one of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, there are references to the concept of 'niraja', which means 'free from all impurities'.

One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Niraj was Niraj Shastri, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 8th century CE in the city of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. His works, including the epic poem 'Naishdhiyacharita', are celebrated for their poetic mastery and philosophical depth.

Another notable figure in history with the name Niraj was Niraj Srivastava, a prominent Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary from the early 20th century. Born in 1895 in Uttar Pradesh, he played a significant role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule and was part of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.

In the realm of literature, Niraj Patel was a celebrated Gujarati poet and writer from the 20th century. Born in 1929 in Gujarat, India, his works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition. He was awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1993 for his poetry collection 'Kavya Surabhi'.

Another figure of note is Niraj Naik, an Indian classical musician and Hindustani singer from the 20th century. Born in 1949 in Maharashtra, India, he was a prominent exponent of the Khayal and Thumri styles of Hindustani classical music and was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2020.

In the field of science, Niraj Srivastava was an eminent Indian physicist and academic who made significant contributions to the study of high-energy particle physics. Born in 1944 in Uttar Pradesh, he served as the Director of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai from 2004 to 2009.

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 Niraj was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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