NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Gurtej

A masculine name of Indian origin meaning "light of royalty".

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.

Gurtej is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Gurtej popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 9 births.

This profile covers 86 England and Wales registrations across 20 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 44% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 85 living people in the UK are called Gurtej. 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

  • Gurtej ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2013, when 9 boys were registered as Gurtej.
  • About 85 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gurtej as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4270

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2013

9 births

Estimated living

85

2026

Meaning

What does Gurtej mean?

The name Gurtej has its origins in the Punjabi language, which is spoken primarily in the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, as well as in Pakistan. It is a combination of two words – "Gur" meaning teacher or spiritual guide, and "Tej" which translates to radiance or brilliance. Together, the name Gurtej can be interpreted as "the radiance of the spiritual guide" or "the brilliance of the teacher."

The name's roots can be traced back to the Sikh faith, which was founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. The word "Guru" holds immense significance in Sikhism, referring to the divine wisdom and enlightenment that guides individuals on their spiritual journey.

Historically, the name Gurtej has been associated with various religious and spiritual leaders within the Sikh community. One notable figure was Gurtej Singh Malhotra, a revered Sikh leader and scholar who lived in the early 20th century. He was widely respected for his profound knowledge of Sikh scriptures and his dedication to preserving and promoting the teachings of the Sikh Gurus.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Gurtej Singh Sahota, a distinguished Punjabi writer and poet who lived from 1942 to 2017. His literary works were highly acclaimed for their poetic expression and exploration of Punjabi culture and identity.

In the realm of sports, Gurtej Singh was a renowned Indian field hockey player who represented India at multiple Olympic Games and World Cups. He was part of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.

The name Gurtej has also been carried by various other individuals throughout history, including Gurtej Singh Grewal, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, and Gurtej Singh Randhawa, a respected agriculturist and scientist who made significant contributions to the field of plant genetics.

While the name Gurtej is primarily associated with the Sikh community and culture, it has also gained popularity among other communities in the Punjab region and beyond, transcending religious and cultural boundaries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Gurtej over time

The chart below shows babies named Gurtej 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 Gurtej, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 9 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Gurtej
02579199620102024

Decades

Gurtej by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gurtej 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 #4005 17 4
2010s #3450 47 9
2000s #4099 13 4
1990s #2902 9 3

Related

Names similar to Gurtej

FAQ

Gurtej: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Gurtej was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Gurtej most popular?

The peak year on record was 2013, with 9 babies registered as Gurtej in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Gurtej?

A masculine name of Indian origin meaning "light of royalty".

How many people are called Gurtej in the UK?

A total of 86 babies have been registered as Gurtej across the 20 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.