UK boy's name
Rajesh
An Indian masculine given name derived from Sanskrit meaning "king" or "ruler".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rajesh is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rajesh popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4685, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 9 births.
This profile covers 38 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 1996 to 2013. 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 38 living people in the UK are called Rajesh. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rajesh ranked #4685 for boys in England and Wales in 2013, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 9 boys were registered as Rajesh.
- • About 38 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rajesh as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4685
2013
Births in 2013
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
9 births
Estimated living
38
2026
Meaning
What does Rajesh mean?
The name Rajesh originates from the Sanskrit language and has its roots in ancient Indian culture. It is a compound name derived from the words "raja" meaning "king" and "isha" meaning "lord" or "master." Together, the name Rajesh signifies "lord of kings" or "king of kings."
In Hindu mythology, the name Rajesh can be found in various sacred texts and scriptures. One notable reference is in the Ramayana, where Rajesh is mentioned as a name for the Hindu deity Rama, who is revered as the epitome of righteousness and an incarnation of the god Vishnu.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Rajesh can be traced back to the ancient Indian subcontinent, particularly in regions where Sanskrit was the predominant language. However, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin and first usage due to the limited historical records from that era.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Rajesh. One of the earliest known individuals was Rajesh Chandra Dutt (1848-1909), a prominent Indian writer, and scholar who contributed significantly to the Bengali literary renaissance of the 19th century.
Another prominent figure was Rajesh Khanna (1942-2012), an iconic Bollywood actor widely regarded as the first superstar of Indian cinema. He was a recipient of numerous accolades, including the prestigious Filmfare Awards, and his films were instrumental in shaping the landscape of Hindi cinema.
Rajesh Pilot (1945-2000) was an Indian politician and a member of the Indian National Congress party. He served as the Union Minister of Internal Security and held various other portfolios during his political career.
In the field of science, Rajesh Gopakumar (1971-2021) was an esteemed Indian theoretical physicist known for his contributions to string theory and quantum gravity. He received several prestigious awards, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize and the Infosys Prize.
Another noteworthy figure is Rajesh Khurana (born 1967), an Indian-American academic who currently serves as the President of Harvard University. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of organizational behavior and leadership development.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Rajesh throughout history. The name continues to be popular in various parts of the world, particularly in India and among the Indian diaspora, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural significance and historical legacy.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rajesh over time
The chart below shows babies named Rajesh registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rajesh, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2013, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rajesh by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rajesh 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4685 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #2890 | 11 | 3 |
| 1990s | #1898 | 24 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Rajesh
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Rajesh: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rajesh in the UK right now?
In 2013, Rajesh was ranked #4685 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rajesh most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 9 babies registered as Rajesh in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rajesh?
An Indian masculine given name derived from Sanskrit meaning "king" or "ruler".
How many people are called Rajesh in the UK?
A total of 38 babies have been registered as Rajesh across the 8 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.