Prabh
A name of Indian origin meaning lord or master.
Name Census estimates that about 6 living Americans carry the first name Prabh. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Prabh today is around 7 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Prabh births was 2019 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Prabh. 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 Prabh with official rankings and popularity over time.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Prabh. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
6
~ 1 in 57,125,723 Americans
Peak year
2019
6 babies that year
Average age
7
years old
2019 SSA rank
#11,786
Tracked since 2019
Popularity
Prabh: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Prabh 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 Prabh 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 Prabh
The given name Prabh finds its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Prabh is derived from the Sanskrit word "Prabhu," which means "lord," "master," or "possessor of power and authority." This name has its roots in Hindu culture and tradition, and it is often associated with reverence and respect.
In Hinduism, the concept of "Prabhu" is closely linked to the divine and the supreme being. It is used as a title or honorific for deities, spiritual leaders, and those held in high esteem. The name Prabh carries a sense of divinity, power, and reverence, reflecting the spiritual and philosophical depth of the Hindu tradition.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Prabh can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Vedas and the Puranas. These sacred texts often refer to deities and celestial beings using the title "Prabhu," emphasizing their divine nature and authority.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Prabh. One of the earliest known figures was Prabh Datt (c. 900 CE), a Hindu philosopher and scholar who made significant contributions to the field of logic and epistemology. His works, such as the "Prabh Datt Mimamsa," continue to be studied and revered in the Indian philosophical tradition.
Another prominent figure was Prabh Karan (1268-1335 CE), a renowned military commander and ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. He played a crucial role in expanding and consolidating the Sultanate's territories and is remembered for his bravery, strategic acumen, and leadership abilities.
In the realm of literature, Prabh Nath (1556-1640 CE) was a celebrated Kashmiri poet and mystic who composed exquisite verses in the Kashmiri language. His poetic works, such as "Prabh Nath Vani," explored themes of spirituality, love, and the human experience, earning him a revered place in the literary canon of Kashmir.
The name Prabh also has a significant presence in the Sikh tradition. Prabh Sahib (1469-1539 CE), also known as Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was the founder of Sikhism and is regarded as the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His teachings and philosophy have had a profound impact on the Sikh community and continue to shape their spiritual and cultural identity.
In more recent times, Prabh Dutt (1912-1988) was an acclaimed Indian writer and novelist who contributed greatly to the Hindi literary landscape. His novels, such as "Govardhan," explored social issues and the human condition, earning him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award.
People
Prabh + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Prabh as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with P
Other first names starting with P with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Prabh: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Prabh?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 6 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Prabh 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 Prabh a common name?
We classify Prabh 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 Prabh most popular?
The single biggest year for Prabh was 2019, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Prabh 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 Prabh in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Prabh a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Prabh 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 Prabh still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Prabh 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 Prabh 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 are named Prabh?
Find out how many people share the name Prabh on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — a quick modern estimate with the living-bearer count front and centre.