Prem
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "love" or "affection".
Name Census estimates that about 526 living Americans carry the first name Prem. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Prem today is around 21 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Prem births was 2000 (26 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Prem. 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.
People living today
526
~ 1 in 651,624 Americans
Peak year
2000
26 babies that year
Average age
21
years old
2024 SSA rank
#6,376
Tracked since 1976
Popularity
Prem: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Prem from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 184 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Prem 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 Prem during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Prems live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. California, New Jersey, Illinois recorded the most babies named Prem, while New York, Illinois, New Jersey recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 10 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Prem
The name Prem is of Sanskrit origin and is derived from the word "prem," which means "love" or "affection" in several Indian languages. It is a popular name among Hindus, particularly in India and Nepal.
The earliest recorded use of the name Prem dates back to ancient Hindu texts, where it was often used as a synonym for the divine love and devotion that devotees felt towards their deities. In the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most revered Hindu scriptures, the concept of "prem" is central to the teachings of Lord Krishna.
One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Prem was Prem Chand (1880-1936), a celebrated Indian writer and novelist who is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Hindi literature. His works explored themes of social injustice, poverty, and the struggles of ordinary people in pre-independence India.
Another notable individual with the name Prem was Prem Rawat (born 1957), an Indian-born spiritual leader and ambassador of peace. He is known for his teachings on inner peace, love, and personal growth, and has inspired millions of followers worldwide through his speeches and writings.
In the realm of music, Prem Joshua (born 1977) is a renowned Indian singer, songwriter, and composer who has gained popularity for his fusion of traditional Indian and contemporary Western styles. His soulful melodies and lyrics often celebrate love, spirituality, and the beauty of nature.
Prem Krishen (1920-2004) was an Indian civil servant and environmentalist who played a crucial role in the establishment of several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India. He is widely recognized for his efforts in preserving India's rich biodiversity and raising awareness about environmental conservation.
Prem Sahib (born 1988) is a contemporary British artist known for his thought-provoking installations and sculptures that explore themes of identity, desire, and cultural hybridity. His works have been exhibited in numerous international art exhibitions and galleries, earning him critical acclaim in the art world.
People
Prem + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Prem 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
Prem: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Prem?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 526 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Prem 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 651,624 US residents.
Is Prem a common name?
We classify Prem as "Very Rare". It ranks above 85% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 535 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Prem most popular?
The single biggest year for Prem was 2000, when 26 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Prem is about 21 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Prem a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Prem 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.
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.