UK boy's name
Raju
An Indian masculine given name of Sanskrit origin meaning "king".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2002. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Raju is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Raju popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2002 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2254, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 5 births.
This profile covers 8 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1997 to 2002. 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.
Raju is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 8 living people in the UK are called Raju. 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 2003 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Raju ranked #2254 for boys in England and Wales in 2002, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 5 boys were registered as Raju.
- • About 8 living people in the UK are estimated to have Raju as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2254
2002
Births in 2002
5
Latest year
Peak year
2002
5 births
Estimated living
8
2026
Meaning
What does Raju mean?
The name Raju is of Indian origin, specifically derived from the Sanskrit language. The name has its roots in the ancient Indian subcontinent, dating back to the early medieval period around the 5th century AD.
Raju is a diminutive form of the Sanskrit name Rajendra, which means "king" or "ruler." The name is composed of two Sanskrit words: "Raja" meaning king and "Indra" referring to the king of the devas (gods) in Hindu mythology. Originally, the name was bestowed upon individuals belonging to royal or aristocratic families, signifying their regal lineage and authority.
In Hindu scriptures, the name Raju is mentioned in several ancient texts, including the Puranas and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. One notable reference is found in the Bhagavata Purana, where Raju is described as a devotee of Lord Krishna. The name also appears in various regional folklores and legends across different parts of India, reflecting its widespread use and cultural significance.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Raju can be traced back to the medieval period, particularly in royal dynasties and noble families. Some notable historical figures bearing the name Raju include:
1. Raju Bhoj (1010-1055 AD), a renowned ruler of the Paramara dynasty in central India, known for his patronage of arts, literature, and architecture.
2. Raju Narayana Bhatta (14th century AD), a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet from the Vijayanagara Empire in South India.
3. Raju Quli Khan (17th century AD), a prominent military commander and nobleman during the Mughal Empire in India.
4. Raju Rana (1670-1695 AD), a brave warrior and military leader from the Rajput clan in Rajasthan, India, who fought against the Mughal forces.
5. Raju Shinde (1720-1778 AD), a prominent leader of the Maratha Empire in India, known for his military conquests and territorial expansions.
Throughout history, the name Raju has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including rulers, scholars, warriors, and artists. Its enduring popularity in Indian culture reflects the respect and admiration associated with its regal origins and the aspirations for leadership and authority it represents.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Raju over time
The chart below shows babies named Raju registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2002. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Raju, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2002, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Raju by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Raju 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 | #2254 | 5 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Raju
- 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
Raju: questions and answers
How popular is the name Raju in the UK right now?
In 2002, Raju was ranked #2254 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Raju most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 5 babies registered as Raju in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Raju?
An Indian masculine given name of Sanskrit origin meaning "king".
How many people are called Raju in the UK?
A total of 8 babies have been registered as Raju across the 2 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.