NameCensus.

UK surname

Ravi

A Hindu surname of Sanskrit origin meaning 'the sun'.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newham, Croydon and Harrow.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Ravi is 347 in 2016. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

347

2016, ranked #13,259

Peak year

2016

347 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 347 in 2016, ranked #13,259.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Established Multi-Ethnic Communities.

Ravi surname distribution map

The map shows where the Ravi surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Ravi surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Ravi over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1901 historical 1 #34,548
1997 modern 65 #31,141
1998 modern 76 #30,386
1999 modern 91 #28,937
2000 modern 101 #27,555
2001 modern 107 #26,328
2002 modern 132 #23,680
2003 modern 121 #24,776
2004 modern 163 #20,685
2005 modern 180 #19,395
2006 modern 207 #17,892
2007 modern 242 #16,296
2008 modern 284 #14,687
2009 modern 299 #14,445
2010 modern 306 #14,529
2011 modern 292 #14,863
2012 modern 287 #14,978
2013 modern 314 #14,273
2014 modern 330 #13,889
2015 modern 340 #13,455
2016 modern 347 #13,259

Geography

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Where Ravis are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newham, Croydon and Harrow. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newham 015 Newham
2 Newham 010 Newham
3 Croydon 019 Croydon
4 Harrow 023 Harrow
5 Newham 023 Newham

Forenames

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First names often paired with Ravi

These lists show first names that appear often with the Ravi surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Ravi

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Ravi, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Established Multi-Ethnic Communities

Nationally, the Ravi surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Established Multi-Ethnic Communities, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Ravi household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Parents and young children in this Group are drawn from diverse ethnic backgrounds in broadly similar proportions. Employment is typically in elementary occupations, though workers in professional, intermediate or skilled trades occupations are also present. The residential landscape is dominated by terraced housing, although semi-detached houses and flats are also present. This Group is found in London and in many provincial towns and cities throughout the U.K.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Young Asian Family Terraces

Within London, Ravi is most associated with areas classed as Young Asian Family Terraces, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These households with dependent children typically live in terraced housing and are of (non-Chinese) Asian extraction. Individuals with Bangladeshi origins are particularly in evidence. Employment is often in elementary occupations or as process, plant or machine operatives, and part-time work is common. Students are much in evidence.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Ravi is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Ravi falls in decile 3 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

3
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Ravi is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Asian - Indian

This describes the area pattern most associated with Ravi, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Ravi

The surname Ravi is believed to have originated in India, particularly in the northern and central regions. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "ravi," which means "sun" or "sun god." The name is often associated with the Hindu sun god, Surya.

In ancient Indian texts and scriptures, such as the Vedas and Puranas, the name Ravi is frequently mentioned in connection with various deities, rituals, and celestial bodies. This suggests that the name has been in use for centuries, potentially dating back to the ancient Vedic period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ravi can be found in the Rig Veda, one of the oldest Indian scriptures, which dates back to around 1500 BCE. In this text, the name Ravi is used as an epithet for the sun god, Surya.

During the medieval period, the name Ravi was also associated with several prominent figures in Indian history and literature. For example, Ravi Prasad, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet, lived in the 16th century and is known for his works on Hindu philosophy and religion.

Another notable individual with the surname Ravi was Ravi Varma, an Indian painter and artist from the 19th century. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the modern era of Indian art and is famous for his depictions of Hindu mythology and traditional Indian life.

In the 20th century, several influential individuals have borne the surname Ravi. One such person is Ravi Shankar, an Indian musician and composer who is widely credited with popularizing Indian classical music on a global scale. Born in 1920 and passing away in 2012, he was a highly influential figure in the world of music.

Another notable individual with the surname Ravi is Ravi Zacharias, a Canadian-American Christian apologist and author. Born in 1946 and passing away in 2020, he was known for his work in Christian apologetics and his defense of the Christian faith through public lectures and writings.

Ravi Teja, an Indian actor and film producer, is another prominent figure with this surname. Born in 1968, he has appeared in numerous Telugu films and is considered one of the most successful and popular actors in the Telugu cinema industry.

While the surname Ravi is primarily associated with India, it has also been adopted by individuals of Indian descent in other parts of the world, particularly in countries with significant Indian diaspora populations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Ravi surname: questions and answers

How common is the Ravi surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 347 in 2016. That gives Ravi a modern rank of #13,259.

What does the Ravi surname mean?

A Hindu surname of Sanskrit origin meaning 'the sun'.

What does the Ravi map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Ravi bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.