NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Gurtaaj

An Indian masculine name meaning "lord of universe" or "victorious".

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.

Gurtaaj is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Gurtaaj popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 4 births.

This profile covers 14 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2011 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 14 living people in the UK are called Gurtaaj. 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

  • Gurtaaj ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2011, when 4 boys were registered as Gurtaaj.
  • About 14 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gurtaaj as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5119

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2011

4 births

Estimated living

14

2026

Meaning

What does Gurtaaj mean?

The name Gurtaaj has its origins in the Punjab region of South Asia, with roots tracing back to the ancient Sanskrit language. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit words "guru," meaning teacher or spiritual guide, and "taaj," meaning crown or crest. Thus, the name Gurtaaj can be interpreted as "one who wears the crown of a spiritual teacher."

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Gurtaaj can be found in the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism. In this text, the name is used as a honorific title for the ten Sikh Gurus, revered as spiritual teachers and leaders of the faith. The name's association with Sikhism has led to its widespread use among Sikhs, particularly in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan.

In the 16th century, Gurtaaj Singh (1530-1604) was a prominent figure in the Sikh tradition. He was a devoted disciple of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, and is remembered for his unwavering commitment to the faith. His life and teachings continue to inspire Sikhs to this day.

Another notable figure bearing the name Gurtaaj was Gurtaaj Kaur (1720-1798), a courageous woman who played a significant role in the Sikh resistance against the Mughal Empire in the 18th century. She is celebrated for her bravery and leadership during a tumultuous period in Sikh history.

In the 19th century, Gurtaaj Rai (1825-1890) was a renowned Sikh scholar and poet. His works, which explored themes of spirituality and devotion, continue to be widely studied and appreciated within the Sikh community.

Another notable figure with the name Gurtaaj was Gurtaaj Singh Dhillon (1890-1962), a prominent Sikh politician and advocate for civil rights in British India. He was a vocal proponent of Sikh self-determination and played a crucial role in the struggle for Indian independence.

While the name Gurtaaj has its roots in the Sikh tradition, it has also been adopted by other communities in the region, particularly those with strong cultural ties to the Punjab. Its rich historical significance and association with spiritual leadership have made it a revered name across South Asia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Gurtaaj over time

The chart below shows babies named Gurtaaj registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2011 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 Gurtaaj, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Gurtaaj
01234201120172024

Decades

Gurtaaj by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gurtaaj 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 #4613 7 2
2010s #4266 7 2

Related

Names similar to Gurtaaj

FAQ

Gurtaaj: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Gurtaaj was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Gurtaaj most popular?

The peak year on record was 2011, with 4 babies registered as Gurtaaj in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Gurtaaj?

An Indian masculine name meaning "lord of universe" or "victorious".

How many people are called Gurtaaj in the UK?

A total of 14 babies have been registered as Gurtaaj across the 4 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.