Viraaj
A Sanskrit masculine name meaning "ruling" or "reigning with glory."
Name Census estimates that about 556 living Americans carry the first name Viraaj. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Viraaj today is around 8 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Viraaj births was 2016 (61 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Viraaj. 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
556
~ 1 in 616,465 Americans
Peak year
2016
61 babies that year
Average age
8
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,581
Tracked since 2006
Popularity
Viraaj: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Viraaj from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 349 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Viraaj remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Viraaj 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 Viraaj during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Viraajs live
The SSA's state-level files cover 8 states and territories. California, New Jersey, Texas recorded the most babies named Viraaj, while North Carolina, Georgia, Florida recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 25 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Viraaj
The name Viraaj finds its origins in the Sanskrit language, with its roots dating back to ancient India. The name is derived from the Sanskrit words "Vira," meaning brave or courageous, and "Raj," meaning king or ruler. This combination signifies a courageous leader or a valiant ruler.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Viraaj can be found in ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Mahabharata and the Puranas, where it was often used as a title for divine or regal figures. It was considered a name befitting those of noble birth or great spiritual significance.
In the historical context, the name Viraaj has been associated with several notable individuals throughout the centuries. One of the earliest recorded figures was Viraaj Bhadra, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and grammarian who lived in the 7th century CE. His contributions to the study of Sanskrit grammar and linguistics were widely acclaimed during his time.
Another prominent figure bearing the name Viraaj was Viraaj Singh, a Rajput warrior and ruler of the Bundela clan in the 16th century. He played a crucial role in the struggle against the Mughal Empire and was renowned for his bravery and military prowess.
In more recent times, Viraaj Desai, an Indian-American author and playwright born in 1967, has gained recognition for his works exploring themes of identity, culture, and social issues. His plays have been performed on various stages across the United States and internationally.
Viraaj Patel, born in 1985, is a notable Indian-American singer and songwriter known for blending traditional Indian music with contemporary genres. His music has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following, particularly among the South Asian diaspora.
Lastly, Viraaj Lulla, born in 1990, is an Indian actor and model who has appeared in numerous television shows and films in the Indian entertainment industry. His performances have earned him recognition and a dedicated fan base.
The name Viraaj continues to hold a significant presence in various cultures and regions, often chosen for its regal connotations and association with bravery and leadership qualities.
People
Viraaj + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Viraaj as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with V
Other first names starting with V with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Viraaj: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Viraaj?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 556 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Viraaj 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 616,465 US residents.
Is Viraaj a common name?
We classify Viraaj as "Very Rare". It ranks above 85.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 560 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Viraaj most popular?
The single biggest year for Viraaj was 2016, when 61 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Viraaj is about 8 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Viraaj a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Viraaj 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.