Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Raja
UnisexSanskrit, Hindi· “king (Sanskrit); hope (Arabic)”
- Meaning
- king (Sanskrit); hope (Arabic)
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Hindi
- Pronunciation
- RAH-juh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #6,361
- US babies 2025
- 14
- Best rank
- #2,669 (2001)
- Peak year
- 2001
Meaning and origin of Raja
Raja is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that is usually said to mean “king (Sanskrit); hope (Arabic)”.
Raja has separate sources in Sanskrit and Arabic. In Sanskrit and Hindi, raja means "king," a title used for Indian rulers for centuries, and it is a common given name for boys in India and Pakistan. In Arabic, raja' means "hope," and Raja is used as a name for girls and boys in the Arab world. The Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma, known for his images of Hindu epics, is a famous bearer. It is said RAH-juh. Rajan and Raj are related Sanskrit names, and Rani is the feminine form meaning "queen."
Popularity over time
Raja first appears in US Social Security records in 1967. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,669 in 2001, the same year it reached its highest count of 36 babies. In 2025, 14 babies were named Raja, and it ranked #6,361 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,386 in 1980, #4,739 in 2000, #5,677 in 2010, and #6,361 in 2025. Of the 864 US boys named Raja since records began, 28% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 179 babies. Since 2010, 274 more have been named Raja.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Rees, Devine, Thai, Tanis, and Nana.
Gender, sound and spelling
Raja is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 26% of US babies named Raja were girls and 74% were boys.
Raja is usually pronounced RAH-juh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with R and ends in “-ja”.
Middle names for Raja
A few middle names that flow with Raja: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Raja
Similar names
Pooja Girl
POO-jah
“worship” · Sanskrit
rare
Shaila Girl
SHY-luh
“of the mountain, rock” · Sanskrit
#5,211
Neha Girl
NAY-hah
“love, affection” · Hindi
#5,662
Divya Girl
DIHV-yuh
“divine, heavenly” · Sanskrit
#5,449
Sanjay Boy
SAHN-jay
“triumphant, victorious” · Sanskrit
#5,012
Rahul Boy
rah-HOOL
“efficient; name of Buddha's son” · Sanskrit
#9,498
Anand Boy
uh-NAHND
“joy, bliss” · Sanskrit
#5,872
Priyanka Girl
pree-YAHNG-kuh
“dear, beloved” · Sanskrit
#14,518
Arjun Boy
AHR-juhn
“white, bright, shining” · Sanskrit
#490
Aarav Boy
AH-rahv
“uncertain; popularly 'peaceful'” · Sanskrit
#710
Nisha Girl
NEE-shuh
“night” · Sanskrit
#8,216
Rohan Boy
ROH-hahn
“ascending” · Sanskrit
#812
Lists that include Raja
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Raja mean?
Raja is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that is usually said to mean “king (Sanskrit); hope (Arabic)”.
What is the origin of the name Raja?
Raja has Sanskrit, Hindi, and Arabic roots. Raja has separate sources in Sanskrit and Arabic.
Is Raja a popular name?
Not especially. Raja ranked #6,361 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Raja a boy or girl name?
Raja is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 26% of US babies named Raja were girls and 74% were boys.
How do you pronounce Raja?
Raja is usually pronounced RAH-juh. 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