UK boy's name
Rajiv
Rajiv is a masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning 'leader' or 'king'.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2006. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rajiv is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rajiv popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2006 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3385, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 10 births.
This profile covers 55 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 1996 to 2006. 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 40% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 54 living people in the UK are called Rajiv. 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 2007 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rajiv ranked #3385 for boys in England and Wales in 2006, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 10 boys were registered as Rajiv.
- • About 54 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rajiv as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3385
2006
Births in 2006
4
Latest year
Peak year
1998
10 births
Estimated living
54
2026
Meaning
What does Rajiv mean?
The name Rajiv is of Sanskrit origin, deriving from the ancient Indian language that has its roots in the Indic branch of the Indo-European language family. The name is composed of two Sanskrit words: "raj," meaning "king" or "ruler," and "iv," which means "life" or "existence." Thus, the name Rajiv can be translated to mean "lord of life" or "ruler of life."
The earliest known use of the name Rajiv can be traced back to ancient Hindu texts and religious scriptures. In the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics, a character named Rajiv is mentioned as a skilled archer and warrior. Additionally, the name appears in various Puranas, ancient Hindu religious texts that narrate the histories and traditions of various dynasties and kingdoms.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rajiv in history is Rajiv Lochan, a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived during the 12th century CE. He is known for his contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly his work on the calculation of the value of pi (π).
Another notable figure with the name Rajiv was Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India. He was born in 1944 and served as the Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989. Rajiv Gandhi played a significant role in modernizing India and introducing various economic and social reforms during his tenure.
In the field of literature, Rajiv Malhotra is a prominent Indian-American author and public speaker. He is known for his works exploring the intersection of Hinduism and Western thought, including books such as "Being Different" and "The Battle for Sanskrit."
Rajiv Sethi is an Indian-American economist and professor at Barnard College, Columbia University. He is widely recognized for his research contributions in the areas of game theory, microeconomics, and the economics of poverty and inequality.
Rajiv Ouseph is a British professional badminton player of Indian descent. He has represented England in various international tournaments, including the Olympic Games, and has won numerous titles throughout his career.
The name Rajiv has maintained its popularity and cultural significance in various parts of the Indian subcontinent and among the South Asian diaspora worldwide. While its usage may have evolved over time, the name continues to carry the essence of its Sanskrit roots, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of the region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rajiv over time
The chart below shows babies named Rajiv registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2006. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rajiv, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2006, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rajiv by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rajiv 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #2888 | 20 | 5 |
| 1990s | #1395 | 35 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Rajiv
- 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
Rajiv: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rajiv in the UK right now?
In 2006, Rajiv was ranked #3385 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Rajiv most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 10 babies registered as Rajiv in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rajiv?
Rajiv is a masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning 'leader' or 'king'.
How many people are called Rajiv in the UK?
A total of 55 babies have been registered as Rajiv across the 9 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.