Sanjiv
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "long life" or "immortal".
Name Census estimates that about 117 living Americans carry the first name Sanjiv. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Sanjiv today is around 41 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Sanjiv births was 1971 (10 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Sanjiv. 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
117
~ 1 in 2,929,524 Americans
Peak year
1971
10 babies that year
Average age
41
years old
2007 SSA rank
#12,098
Tracked since 1965
Popularity
Sanjiv: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Sanjiv from the 1960s through to the 2000s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 48 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sanjiv 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 Sanjiv during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Sanjiv
The name Sanjiv is of Sanskrit origin and has its roots in the Indian subcontinent. It is a combination of the words 'sanjīva' meaning 'to revive' or 'to give life'. The name can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, where it was often associated with the concept of resurrection or rebirth.
In the epic Mahabharata, one of the most significant works of ancient Indian literature, there is a character named Sanjiv who is the son of the legendary king Virata. This early reference to the name suggests its usage in ancient India.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Sanjiv was Sanjiv Singh, a 12th-century ruler of the Chauhan dynasty in present-day Rajasthan, India. He is known for his valor and military campaigns against the invading Ghurids.
In the 16th century, Sanjiv Khan was a prominent general who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar. He played a crucial role in several military campaigns and was renowned for his strategic skills.
During the 18th century, Sanjiv Rao was a renowned Maratha ruler who governed the princely state of Sirohi in present-day Rajasthan. He is credited with establishing a strong administrative system and promoting cultural activities in his kingdom.
In the 19th century, Sanjiv Malhar was a prominent social reformer from Maharashtra, India. He advocated for the education of women and worked towards eradicating social evils like child marriage and the practice of sati (widow immolation).
Sanjiv Reddy, born in 1913, was an Indian politician who served as the sixth President of India from 1977 to 1982. He played a significant role in the country's political landscape and was known for his commitment to democratic principles.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Sanjiv, illustrating its deep-rooted connections to Indian culture and its enduring presence across various periods.
People
Sanjiv + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Sanjiv as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Sanjiv: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Sanjiv?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 117 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Sanjiv 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 2,929,524 US residents.
Is Sanjiv a common name?
We classify Sanjiv as "Very Rare". It ranks above 66.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 124 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Sanjiv most popular?
The single biggest year for Sanjiv was 1971, when 10 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Sanjiv is about 41 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Sanjiv a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Sanjiv 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.