Find out how popular the first name Vijay has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Vijay by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Vijay is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Vijay.

The history of the first name Vijay

The name Vijay is of Sanskrit origin and has been in use for centuries in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. The word "vijay" in Sanskrit means "victory" or "conquest," and the name is often associated with success, triumph, and overcoming obstacles.

One of the earliest references to the name can be found in ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas. In these texts, the name is sometimes used as an epithet for various deities and heroes who achieved great victories or overcame powerful adversaries.

The name Vijay also has a significant presence in Indian history and mythology. One of the most famous figures bearing this name is Vijaya, the legendary prince who is said to have founded the Kingdom of Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) in the 6th century BCE. According to the Mahavamsa, an ancient chronicle of Sri Lankan history, Vijaya was a prince from the Indian subcontinent who arrived in Sri Lanka with 700 followers and established the Sinhalese monarchy.

Another notable historical figure named Vijay was Vijayaraja Srivallabha, a ruler of the Chalukya dynasty who reigned in the 12th century CE. He is known for his military conquests and for patronizing the arts and literature during his reign.

In more recent times, several prominent individuals have borne the name Vijay. One of the most famous is Vijay Amritraj, an Indian-American former professional tennis player who was born in 1953. He was a highly successful player in the 1970s and 1980s, winning numerous titles and representing India in the Davis Cup.

Another notable Vijay is Vijay Mallya, an Indian businessman and former member of parliament, born in 1955. He is the former chairman of the United Breweries Group and was once considered one of the wealthiest individuals in India.

Vijay Hazare, an Indian cricketer born in 1915, was a successful captain of the Indian cricket team in the 1940s and 1950s. He is renowned for his leadership and batting skills, and a prestigious domestic cricket tournament in India is named after him.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, born in 1978, is an Indian billionaire entrepreneur and the founder of the digital payments company Paytm. He is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in India's tech industry and has been recognized with various awards and honors.

Vijay Iyer, born in 1971, is an American composer and jazz pianist of Indian descent. He is a Grammy-nominated artist known for his innovative and genre-bending approach to jazz, blending Indian classical music influences with contemporary styles.

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

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

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