Renu first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Renu has been for the last 16 years (from 1975 to 1990) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Renu

A feminine Sanskrit name meaning "lotus flower" or "brilliant".

Popularity of Renu by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Renu is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1990, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Renu.

Year Male Count Female Count
1990 0 5
1983 0 5
1981 0 11
1980 0 7
1979 0 6
1978 0 7
1976 0 7
1975 0 6

The history of the first name Renu

The name Renu is derived from the Sanskrit language, which has its roots in ancient India. It is a feminine name that originated in the Indian subcontinent, where it has been popular for centuries.

The word "Renu" in Sanskrit means "dust particle" or "atom." In Hindu philosophy, it is believed that the universe is made up of innumerable atoms or particles, and the name Renu symbolizes the idea of the individual being a small but essential part of the larger cosmic whole.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Renu dates back to the ancient Hindu scriptures, particularly the Upanishads and the Vedas. These sacred texts, which are among the oldest known literature in the world, mention the name Renu in various contexts, often associated with wisdom, spirituality, and the pursuit of knowledge.

One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Renu was Renu Devi, a princess and poet from the 7th century CE. She was renowned for her literary works, which explored themes of love, devotion, and the human condition. Her poetry is still widely celebrated in India today.

Another notable historical figure with the name Renu was Renu Chakravartty, an Indian novelist and short story writer who lived from 1919 to 1992. He is considered one of the pioneers of the Nayi Kahani ("New Story") literary movement in Hindi literature, which focused on realistic depictions of everyday life and societal issues.

In the field of science, Renu Malhotra is a renowned Indian-American astronomer born in 1970. She is best known for her groundbreaking work on the outer Solar System, particularly her discoveries of several distant objects beyond the orbit of Neptune.

Renu Desai, born in 1979, is an Indian film director, producer, and actress. She has worked in various regional film industries, including Telugu and Tamil cinema, and is known for her contributions to women-centric narratives and social issues on the silver screen.

Renu Khator is an Indian-American academic and administrator who has served as the president of the University of Houston since 2008. Born in 1956, she is widely recognized for her leadership in higher education and her efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity on university campuses.

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

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

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"Renu first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/renu-meaning-and-history/.

"Renu first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/renu-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 2 August, 2025

Renu first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/renu-meaning-and-history/.

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