NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Raman

A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "pleasing", "delightful", or "charming".

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.

Raman is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Raman popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2671, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 13 births.

This profile covers 208 England and Wales registrations across 28 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 62% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 206 living people in the UK are called Raman. 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

  • Raman ranked #2671 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2016, when 13 boys were registered as Raman.
  • About 206 living people in the UK are estimated to have Raman as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 83.5% of Raman registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2671

2024

Births in 2024

8

Latest year

Peak year

2016

13 births

Estimated living

206

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Raman

In England and Wales birth records, Raman has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 83.5% of registrations are for boys and 16.5% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

84% boys
16% girls
Boys208 (83.5%)Girls41 (16.5%)

Raman registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,671 in 2024
  • 8 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2016 (13 births)

Raman registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,742 in 2013
  • 3 girls registered in 2013
  • Peak: 2008 (6 births)

Meaning

What does Raman mean?

The name Raman has its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that originated in the Indian subcontinent. The name is derived from the Sanskrit word "rāma," which means "pleasing," "delightful," or "charming."

In Hindu mythology, Raman is one of the names of the divine hero Rama, who is the central figure of the ancient Indian epic Ramayana. The Ramayana is considered one of the two great Hindu epics, alongside the Mahabharata, and is widely revered across South and Southeast Asia. Rama is revered as the seventh avatar or incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu.

The name Raman has a long and revered history in Indian culture and religion. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Ramayana itself, where Rama is described as the epitome of virtue, righteousness, and heroism.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who have borne the name Raman. One of the most famous is Sir C.V. Raman (1888-1970), an Indian physicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his groundbreaking work on the scattering of light, now known as the Raman effect.

Another notable figure is Raman Maharshi (1879-1950), a revered Indian sage and philosopher who is widely regarded as one of the greatest spiritual leaders of the 20th century. His teachings on self-inquiry and the nature of consciousness have influenced countless individuals around the world.

In the field of music, Raman Namboodiri (1892-1976) was a renowned Indian classical musician and composer who made significant contributions to the Carnatic music tradition. He is particularly remembered for his compositions in the Kritis and Varnams styles.

Raman Raghav (1923-1968) was an infamous Indian serial killer who operated in the city of Mumbai (then known as Bombay) during the 1960s. His crimes and subsequent trial garnered widespread attention and have been the subject of several books and films.

Finally, Raman Subba Row (1856-1890) was a prominent Indian philosopher and theosophist who played a significant role in introducing Hindu philosophy and mysticism to the Western world. He was a member of the Theosophical Society and collaborated closely with its founders, Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Raman over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Raman in England and Wales, 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 Raman, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 13 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
0471114199620102024

Decades

Raman by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Raman 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 #2508 33 4
2010s #2634 83 10
2000s #2349 69 10
1990s #1900 23 4

Related

Names similar to Raman

FAQ

Raman: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Raman was ranked #2671 for boys in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.

When was Raman most popular?

The peak year on record was 2016, with 13 babies registered as Raman in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Raman?

A masculine name of Sanskrit origin meaning "pleasing", "delightful", or "charming".

How many people are called Raman in the UK?

A total of 208 babies have been registered as Raman across the 28 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.