UK boy's name
Gaurav
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "glorious" or "bright".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Gaurav is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Gaurav popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3451, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 14 births.
This profile covers 188 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1996 to 2021. 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 36% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 186 living people in the UK are called Gaurav. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Gaurav ranked #3451 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 14 boys were registered as Gaurav.
- • About 186 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gaurav as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3451
2021
Births in 2021
5
Latest year
Peak year
1999
14 births
Estimated living
186
2026
Meaning
What does Gaurav mean?
The name Gaurav originates from the Sanskrit language, with roots traced back to ancient India. The name derives from the Sanskrit word 'gaurava,' which means 'respect,' 'honor,' or 'glory.' It is a name traditionally given to boys in Hindu families, particularly in the northern regions of India.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Gaurav can be found in the ancient Hindu text, the Mahabharata, where it is mentioned as a name for a warrior or a person of noble character. The name gained popularity during the Vedic period in India, which spanned from around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE.
In the historical context, the name Gaurav has been associated with several notable figures throughout Indian history. One of the earliest examples is Gaurav Mishra, a famous Hindu scholar and philosopher who lived in the 8th century CE. He was renowned for his contributions to the fields of logic, philosophy, and linguistics.
Another prominent individual bearing the name Gaurav was Gaurav Tandan, a celebrated poet and writer from the 16th century during the Mughal era. His works, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition, are considered literary masterpieces and are still widely studied and appreciated today.
In more recent times, Gaurav Kapoor, born in 1975, is a renowned Indian journalist and television personality. He has hosted several popular news and current affairs programs and is known for his insightful and thought-provoking reporting and analysis.
Gaurav Khanna, born in 1981, is a globally recognized Indian-American mathematician and theoretical physicist. He has made significant contributions to the fields of general relativity and gravitational physics, and his work has been widely published in prestigious scientific journals.
Gaurav Gill, born in 1981, is a celebrated Indian rally driver and multiple-time national champion. He has represented India in various international rallying events and has brought numerous accolades to the country through his impressive performances on the racetrack.
The name Gaurav continues to be a popular choice among Hindu families, particularly in India, as it carries a sense of honor, respect, and distinction. Its rich historical roots and associations with notable figures throughout Indian history have contributed to its enduring appeal and significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Gaurav over time
The chart below shows babies named Gaurav registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Gaurav, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2021, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gaurav by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gaurav 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 | #3393 | 10 | 2 |
| 2010s | #3463 | 47 | 9 |
| 2000s | #1882 | 89 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1332 | 42 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Gaurav
- George 121,258
- Gabriel 20,581
- Grayson 7,636
- Gregory 2,925
- Guy 2,646
- Gareth 2,092
- Gethin 1,880
- Georgie 1,872
- Gary 1,575
- Gavin 1,422
- Giovanni 1,252
- Grant 1,199
FAQ
Gaurav: questions and answers
How popular is the name Gaurav in the UK right now?
In 2021, Gaurav was ranked #3451 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Gaurav most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 14 babies registered as Gaurav in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Gaurav?
A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "glorious" or "bright".
How many people are called Gaurav in the UK?
A total of 188 babies have been registered as Gaurav across the 25 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.