NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Anju

Graceful; of Indian Hindu origin meaning "bright radiant light".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2005. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Anju is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Anju popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2005 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3970, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 5 births.

This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2003 to 2005. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 9 living people in the UK are called Anju. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2006 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Anju ranked #3970 for girls in England and Wales in 2005, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2003, when 5 girls were registered as Anju.
  • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Anju as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3970

2005

Births in 2005

4

Latest year

Peak year

2003

5 births

Estimated living

9

2026

Meaning

What does Anju mean?

The name Anju originates from the Indian subcontinent and is primarily found in languages such as Hindi, Punjabi, and Sanskrit. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "anju," which means "streak of light" or "ray." This name has its roots in ancient Hindu mythology and traditions.

Anju is believed to have been mentioned in various Hindu religious texts and scriptures, such as the Puranas and the Upanishads, where it was often associated with references to light, beauty, and purity. The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 6th century BCE, during the Vedic period in ancient India.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Anju. One of the earliest recorded examples is Anju Devi, a renowned Indian poet and scholar who lived in the 9th century CE. Her literary works, which primarily focused on devotional poetry, have been widely celebrated and continue to influence the literary landscape of the region.

Another prominent figure with the name Anju was Anju Ghosh (1909-1995), an Indian freedom fighter and social activist. She played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement and worked tirelessly to promote women's rights and education. Her contributions to the nation's struggle for freedom have been widely recognized and celebrated.

In the realm of the arts, Anju Dhawan (1945-2020) was a renowned Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She was known for her exceptional skills in Kathak, one of the major classical dance forms of India. Dhawan's performances and choreographies were widely acclaimed, and she received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the world of dance.

Anju Bhatt (born 1971) is a renowned Indian actress who has made a significant impact in both Bollywood and regional cinema. She has starred in numerous critically acclaimed films and has received several prestigious awards for her exceptional acting abilities.

Lastly, Anju Bobby George (born 1977) is a celebrated Indian athlete and former track and field star. She won the bronze medal in the long jump event at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics, becoming the first Indian athlete to win a medal in a World Championships. Her achievement has been widely celebrated and has inspired countless aspiring athletes in India.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Anju over time

The chart below shows babies named Anju registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2005. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Anju, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2005, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Anju
01345200320042005

Decades

Anju by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Anju was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2000s #3535 9 2

Related

Names similar to Anju

FAQ

Anju: questions and answers

How popular is the name Anju in the UK right now?

In 2005, Anju was ranked #3970 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Anju most popular?

The peak year on record was 2003, with 5 babies registered as Anju in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Anju?

Graceful; of Indian Hindu origin meaning "bright radiant light".

How many people are called Anju in the UK?

A total of 9 babies have been registered as Anju across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.