Raghav

BoySanskrit· “descendant of Raghu, a name of Rama”

Meaning
descendant of Raghu, a name of Rama
Origin
Sanskrit
Pronunciation
RAH-guhv
Syllables
2
US rank 2025
#1,835
US babies 2025
87
Best rank
#1,835 (2025)
Peak year
2025

Meaning and origin of Raghav

Raghav is a Sanskrit name that means “descendant of Raghu, a name of Rama”.

Raghav is a Sanskrit name meaning "descendant of Raghu," a legendary king of the solar dynasty, and it is a name of Rama, the hero of the Ramayana, who belonged to Raghu's line. It is widely used in India. It is said RAH-guv. Raghavan and Raghavendra are related names. Rags and Ravi are possible nicknames. For families who revere the Ramayana, it carries a direct link to Rama and his line. Raghavan is the form common in South India.

Popularity over time

02550751001990200020102020Peak 2025: 87
US babies named Raghav per year, 1880 to 2025

Raghav first appears in US Social Security records in 1990. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #1,835, and its highest count, 87 babies. Use has grown 32% in ten years.

Its national rank moved from #3,276 in 2000, #2,502 in 2010, and #1,835 in 2025. Of the 1,335 US boys named Raghav since records began, 37% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 445 babies.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Evans, Sai, Asael, Zarek, and Jareth.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Raghav ranked highest in New Jersey, Washington, and California.

StateRank thereBabies
New Jersey#68710
Washington#7918
California#103321
Illinois#12486
Texas#162711

Gender, sound and spelling

In the US it is used almost only for boys.

Raghav is usually pronounced RAH-guhv, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with R and ends in “-av”.

Middle names for Raghav

A few middle names that flow with Raghav: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
Kai Boy
KY
“sea (Hawaiian)” · Hawaiian
#93

Sibling names for Raghav

Similar names

Aarav Boy
AH-rahv
“uncertain; popularly 'peaceful'” · Sanskrit
#710
Krishna Unisex
KRIHSH-nuh
“black, dark” · Sanskrit
#2,120
Ravi Boy
RAH-vee
“sun” · Sanskrit
#1,249
Arjun Boy
AHR-juhn
“white, bright, shining” · Sanskrit
#490
Ishaan Boy
ee-SHAHN
“lord, ruler” · Sanskrit
#895
Varun Boy
vuh-ROON
“Hindu god of water and sky” · Sanskrit
#6,111
Sanjay Boy
SAHN-jay
“triumphant, victorious” · Sanskrit
#5,012
Rama Unisex
RAH-muh
“pleasing (Sanskrit); also used in Arabic” · Sanskrit
#11,699
Dhruv Boy
DROOV
“fixed, constant; pole star” · Sanskrit
#1,100
Aditya Boy
ah-DIT-yuh
“belonging to Aditi; the sun” · Sanskrit
#1,886
Rishi Boy
RIH-shee
“sage, seer” · Sanskrit
#1,059
Amar Boy
uh-MAHR
“immortal” · Sanskrit
#1,388

Lists that include Raghav

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Raghav mean?

Raghav is a Sanskrit name that means “descendant of Raghu, a name of Rama”.

What is the origin of the name Raghav?

Raghav has Sanskrit roots. Raghav is a Sanskrit name meaning "descendant of Raghu," a legendary king of the solar dynasty, and it is a name of Rama, the hero of the Ramayana, who belonged to Raghu's line.

Is Raghav a popular name?

Not especially. Raghav ranked #1,835 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.

Is Raghav a boy or girl name?

Raghav is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.

How do you pronounce Raghav?

Raghav is usually pronounced RAH-guhv. 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