Rahul Boy

Popularity: #930 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: RAH-hool /ˈrɑː.hʊl/

Origin: Sanskrit; Hindi

Meaning: Sanskrit: 'conqueror'; Hindi: 'one who is victorious'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rahul has its roots in the Sanskrit language, where it is derived from the word 'rahula', which means 'conqueror of all miseries' or 'one who is able to overcome obstacles'. The term is historically significant in the context of Buddhism, as it is associated with Rahula, the son of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as the Buddha.

This connection imbues the name with spiritual and philosophical connotations, reflecting themes of enlightenment and overcoming suffering. The name entered various languages and cultures through the spread of Buddhism, influencing its adoption in regions such as Southeast Asia and beyond.

Historically, the name Rahul has been used in various texts and scriptures, particularly within the Buddhist tradition. It appears in Pali texts, which are foundational to Theravada Buddhism, dating back to the 5th century BCE.

The name's significance was further solidified during the medieval period, as it became a common name among followers of Buddhism and Hinduism alike. In Hindu culture, the name is sometimes linked to the concept of a 'son' or 'descendant', which adds another layer of meaning, emphasizing familial and generational continuity.

Culturally, Rahul has resonated through literature and religious narratives, symbolizing wisdom, perseverance, and the journey towards enlightenment. The name has been embraced in various forms across different cultures, often retaining its original meaning.

In addition to its use in religious contexts, Rahul has appeared in numerous literary works and has been adopted by various figures in history, further embedding it within cultural consciousness. The name's enduring legacy is a testament to its rich linguistic and historical heritage.

Famous people named Rahul

In this section, you will find notable people named Rahul. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Rahul who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Rahul who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Rahul Kohli is an actor best known for his roles in The Haunting of Bly Manor, iZombie, and Supergirl.

Rahul Roy is an actor best known for his role in Aashiqui and for his participation in Bigg Boss.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Rahul, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

RohanRaviRiyaRitikaRashmiRamesh

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Rahul. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

RahilRaghavRahimRaviRanjitRameshRajRohan

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rahul was first seen in the United States in 1966.

Rahul has ranked as high as #1856 nationally, which occurred in 2000, and has been most popular in California, New Jersey, New York, Illinois, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Rahul has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Rahul is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Rahul was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Rahul.

Year Total Births Boy
2025 8 8
2024 6 6
2023 10 10
2022 10 10
2021 10 10
2020 7 7
2019 7 7
2018 13 13
2017 14 14
2016 16 16
2015 14 14
2014 30 30
2013 29 29
2012 37 37
2011 41 41
2010 57 57
2009 63 63
2008 84 84
2007 93 93
2006 105 105
2005 128 128
2004 166 166
2003 162 162
2002 171 171
2001 187 187
2000 196 196
1999 168 168
1998 142 142
1997 124 124
1996 85 85
1995 90 90
1994 97 97
1993 79 79
1992 64 64
1991 83 83
1990 45 45
1989 47 47
1988 51 51
1987 60 60
1986 52 52
1985 51 51
1984 41 41
1983 37 37
1982 38 38
1981 27 27
1980 38 38
1979 22 22
1978 41 41
1977 28 28
1976 25 25
1975 38 38
1974 29 29
1973 18 18
1972 9 9
1971 16 16
1970 10 10
1969 8 8
1966 5 5

Top States for Rahul (2015)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%