UK boy's name
Dilraj
A masculine Indian origin name meaning "heart's master" or "master of courage".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Dilraj is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Dilraj popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1595, with 16 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 16 births.
This profile covers 259 England and Wales registrations across 28 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 257 living people in the UK are called Dilraj. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Dilraj ranked #1595 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 16 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 16 boys were registered as Dilraj.
- • About 257 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dilraj as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1595
2024
Births in 2024
16
Latest year
Peak year
2011
16 births
Estimated living
257
2026
Meaning
What does Dilraj mean?
The given name Dilraj has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, specifically tracing back to the Sanskrit and Hindi languages. The name is a combination of two words - "dil" meaning heart, and "raj" meaning king or ruler. Thus, the name Dilraj translates to "king of hearts" or "ruler of hearts".
This name is believed to have gained popularity during the medieval period in the region, particularly among the ruling classes and nobility. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in various historical texts and records from the 12th century onwards.
One of the earliest known individuals to bear the name Dilraj was a 12th-century prince from the Chauhan dynasty of Rajasthan. He was renowned for his bravery and valor in battles against invading forces.
In the 15th century, there was a famous Sufi saint named Dilraj who lived in the city of Ajmer, Rajasthan. He was known for his spiritual teachings and his contribution to the spread of Sufism in the region.
During the Mughal era, which spanned from the 16th to the 19th century, the name Dilraj was adopted by several members of the royal family and nobility. One notable figure was Prince Dilraj, the son of Emperor Aurangzeb, who lived in the 17th century.
In the realm of literature, there is a renowned Urdu poet named Dilraj Dehlvi, who lived in the 18th century. His poetry and literary works were highly celebrated during his time and continue to be studied and appreciated today.
Another notable individual with the name Dilraj was a 19th-century freedom fighter from Punjab, who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule.
While the name Dilraj has its roots in the Indian subcontinent, it has also been adopted by people of various cultural backgrounds around the world, particularly those with connections to the region or its diaspora. The name continues to hold significance and meaning for many, reflecting the idea of a benevolent and caring ruler or leader.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Dilraj over time
The chart below shows babies named Dilraj registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Dilraj, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 16 births in 2024, compared with 16 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Dilraj by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dilraj 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #2335 | 48 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2401 | 97 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2043 | 77 | 9 |
| 1990s | #1345 | 37 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Dilraj
- Daniel 120,900
- Dylan 60,836
- David 37,852
- Dominic 20,480
- Declan 11,657
- Dexter 11,627
- Danny 8,434
- Dean 5,329
- Dillon 4,113
- Douglas 3,773
- Dominik 3,494
- Damian 3,486
FAQ
Dilraj: questions and answers
How popular is the name Dilraj in the UK right now?
In 2024, Dilraj was ranked #1595 for boys in England and Wales, with 16 births registered.
When was Dilraj most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 16 babies registered as Dilraj in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Dilraj?
A masculine Indian origin name meaning "heart's master" or "master of courage".
How many people are called Dilraj in the UK?
A total of 259 babies have been registered as Dilraj across the 28 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.