Varun first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Varun has been for the last 44 years (from 1981 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Varun

A masculine Hindu name meaning "water" or "ocean".

Popularity of Varun by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Varun is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 18 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Varun.

YearMale CountFemale Count
2024180
2023200
2022230
2021310
2020270
2019400
2018450
2017470
2016440
2015540
2014500
2013620
2012640
2011720
2010880
2009930
20081010
2007950
20061160
20051400
20041450
20031210
20021230
2001990
20001120
19991070
1998950
1997790
1996670
1995570
1994430
1993440
1992390
1991350
1990270
1989280
1988280
1987230
1986200
1985180
1984140
1983120
1982110
198150

The history of the first name Varun

The given name Varun has its origins in Hindu mythology and Vedic Sanskrit literature dating back to around 1500 BCE. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Varu," meaning water or the one who encompasses or restrains. In the ancient Hindu Vedas, Varun is the name of the deity who presided over the waters and oceans, enforcing divine law and guarding against sin.

The name Varun appeared in several sacred texts of Hinduism, including the Rigveda, one of the oldest scriptures in the world. The deity Varun was considered one of the most prominent gods in the Vedic pantheon, often invoked alongside Indra and Agni in rituals and hymns. In the Atharvaveda, Varun was associated with the night sky and the celestial ocean, further solidifying his connection with water and the cosmos.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Varun can be found in the Mahabharata, the ancient Indian epic poem composed between the 8th and 9th centuries BCE. In this epic, Varun is mentioned as the Lord of the Waters and is revered by the Pandava princes.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Varun. One such individual was Varun, an ancient Indian astronomer and mathematician who lived around the 6th century CE. He is credited with contributing to the field of astronomy and writing the influential work, Pancha-Siddhantika, which synthesized various astronomical treatises.

Another famous Varun was Varun Dev Saran, an Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter who participated in the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was born in 1889 and played a significant role in the Kakori Train Robbery case in 1925, which aimed to undermine the British government's economic resources.

In the realm of literature, Varun Narain was a prominent Indian author and playwright who lived from 1923 to 1994. He was known for his works that explored themes of social injustice, inequality, and the human condition. His plays, such as "Andha Yug" (The Age of Darkness), earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards.

More recently, Varun Gandhi is an Indian politician and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Born in 1980, he has served as a member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament, and has been active in various social and political initiatives.

Lastly, Varun Dhawan is a renowned Indian actor who has made his mark in Bollywood films. Born in 1987, he has starred in numerous commercially successful movies, including "Student of the Year," "Badrinath Ki Dulhania," and "Judwaa 2," and has won several awards for his performances.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.

Search
Search
Background shape