Virat
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "best among all".
Name Census estimates that about 441 living Americans carry the first name Virat. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Virat today is around 8 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Virat births was 2019 (54 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Virat. 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
441
~ 1 in 777,221 Americans
Peak year
2019
54 babies that year
Average age
8
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,507
Tracked since 2011
Popularity
Virat: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Virat from the 2010s through to the 2020s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 274 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Virat remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Virat 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 Virat during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Virats live
The SSA's state-level files cover 6 states and territories. California, Texas, New Jersey recorded the most babies named Virat, while Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 22 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Virat
The name Virat originates from Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that served as the root for many modern Indian languages. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "virāta," which means "powerful" or "mighty." The name has its roots in ancient Hindu mythology and texts, and it is often associated with strength, courage, and valor.
One of the earliest references to the name Virat can be found in the epic Hindu scripture, the Mahabharata. In this sacred text, Virat is the name of a king who offered shelter and protection to the Pandava princes during their exile. The Pandavas were the central protagonists in the Mahabharata, and their time spent in King Virat's kingdom is a significant chapter in the epic narrative.
Throughout history, the name Virat has been borne by several notable figures. One of the most famous was Virat Kohli, an Indian cricketer who was born on November 5, 1988. Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the modern era and has captained the Indian national team across all formats of the game.
Another prominent individual with the name Virat was Virat Anushka Shetty, an Indian film actress who has appeared in numerous successful Telugu and Tamil movies. She was born on November 7, 1981, and is known for her versatile performances and critically acclaimed roles.
In the realm of literature, Virat Singh Rathore was a renowned Hindi poet and writer who lived from 1888 to 1972. He was a prominent figure in the Chhayavaad literary movement and is celebrated for his contributions to modern Hindi poetry.
The name Virat has also been associated with historical figures from ancient Indian dynasties. One such figure was Virat Raj, a ruler from the Chauhan dynasty who reigned in the 12th century CE. He is known for his military campaigns and territorial expansions during his reign.
Another historical figure with the name Virat was Virat Dev, a Rajput king from the Yadav dynasty who ruled in the 11th century CE. He is remembered for his patronage of arts and literature, as well as his efforts in promoting cultural development during his reign.
People
Virat + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Virat 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
Virat: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Virat?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 441 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Virat 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 777,221 US residents.
Is Virat a common name?
We classify Virat as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 444 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Virat most popular?
The single biggest year for Virat was 2019, when 54 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Virat is about 8 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Virat a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Virat 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.