Arun
BoySanskrit· “dawn; reddish like dawn”
- Meaning
- dawn; reddish like dawn
- Origin
- Sanskrit
- Pronunciation
- ah-ROON
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #6,842
- US babies 2025
- 12
- Best rank
- #1,869 (1979)
- Peak year
- 1995
Meaning and origin of Arun
Arun is a Sanskrit name that means “dawn; reddish like dawn”.
Arun is a Sanskrit name meaning dawn, or reddish like the dawn, from aruna, reddish-brown. In Hindu mythology, Aruna is the charioteer of Surya, the sun god, and the personification of the dawn. Arun is a common name in India and among Indian American families. It is said ah-ROON, with the stress on the second syllable. Arun is also the name of a river in Sussex, England, though that source is unrelated.
Popularity over time
Arun first appears in US Social Security records in 1966. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,869 in 1979, and the most babies received it in 1995, when 44 were named Arun. In 2025, 12 babies were named Arun, and it ranked #6,842 nationally. That is 33% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,371 in 1980, #2,741 in 2000, #4,528 in 2010, and #6,842 in 2025. Of the 1,440 US boys named Arun since records began, 24% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 337 babies. Since 2010, 321 more have been named Arun.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Quan, Thien, Kile, Delvon, and Dimas.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Arun ranked highest in California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2508 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Arun is usually pronounced ah-ROON, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-un”.
Middle names for Arun
A few middle names that flow with Arun: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Arun
Similar names
Lists that include Arun
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Arun mean?
Arun is a Sanskrit name that means “dawn; reddish like dawn”.
What is the origin of the name Arun?
Arun has Sanskrit roots. Arun is a Sanskrit name meaning dawn, or reddish like the dawn, from aruna, reddish-brown.
Is Arun a popular name?
Not especially. Arun ranked #6,842 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Arun a boy or girl name?
Arun is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Arun?
Arun is usually pronounced ah-ROON. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings