UK boy's name
Ritesh
A masculine Hindu name meaning "protector of sacred rituals".
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.
Ritesh is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Ritesh popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3315, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 5 births.
This profile covers 30 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 1999 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.
Ritesh is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 30 living people in the UK are called Ritesh. 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
- • Ritesh ranked #3315 for boys in England and Wales in 2013, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 5 boys were registered as Ritesh.
- • About 30 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ritesh as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3315
2013
Births in 2013
5
Latest year
Peak year
2013
5 births
Estimated living
30
2026
Meaning
What does Ritesh mean?
The name Ritesh originates from the Sanskrit language and has its roots in ancient Indian culture, dating back to the Vedic period (c. 1500 - c. 500 BCE). It is derived from the Sanskrit words "ritu" meaning "season" and "ish" meaning "lord" or "master." Therefore, the name Ritesh can be interpreted as "lord of the seasons" or "master of the seasons."
While the exact origin of the name is not entirely clear, it is believed to have been associated with deities or revered individuals who were considered guardians or rulers of the different seasons. Some ancient Hindu texts, such as the Puranas, mention figures with similar names, indicating the name's historical significance in Indian mythology and religious traditions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ritesh can be found in the 12th century CE, when it appeared in Sanskrit manuscripts and inscriptions from the medieval period. During this time, the name was likely used by scholars, poets, and individuals from aristocratic or noble backgrounds.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ritesh. One such figure was Ritesh Deshmukh (1554-1623 CE), a Marathi poet and scholar from the Deccan region of India, who made significant contributions to the Marathi literary tradition.
Another prominent figure was Ritesh Dutta (1718-1793 CE), a Bengali philosopher and social reformer, known for his work in promoting education and social welfare during the late 18th century in Bengal.
In the 19th century, Ritesh Chandra Dutt (1848-1909) was a renowned Bengali writer, translator, and civil servant who played a crucial role in introducing Indian literature to the Western world through his translations of ancient Sanskrit texts.
Moving into the 20th century, Ritesh Pande (1905-1988) was an influential Indian economist and statesman who served as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 1963 to 1967.
More recently, Ritesh Sidhwani (born 1973) is a prominent Indian film producer who has been involved in several successful Bollywood movies, including the critically acclaimed "Dil Chahta Hai" and "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara."
While the name Ritesh continues to be used in various parts of India and among the Indian diaspora, its historical roots and cultural significance remain deeply embedded in the ancient Sanskrit language and Indian traditions, reflecting the enduring influence of this name across centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ritesh over time
The chart below shows babies named Ritesh registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 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 Ritesh, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2013, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ritesh by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ritesh 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 | #3590 | 9 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3276 | 18 | 5 |
| 1990s | #2943 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ritesh
- 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
Ritesh: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ritesh in the UK right now?
In 2013, Ritesh was ranked #3315 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Ritesh most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 5 babies registered as Ritesh in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ritesh?
A masculine Hindu name meaning "protector of sacred rituals".
How many people are called Ritesh in the UK?
A total of 30 babies have been registered as Ritesh 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.