Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ram
BoySanskrit, Hindi· “pleasing (Sanskrit); high, exalted (Hebrew)”
- Meaning
- pleasing (Sanskrit); high, exalted (Hebrew)
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Hindi
- Pronunciation
- RAHM
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #2,671
- US babies 2025
- 49
- Best rank
- #2,153 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Ram
Ram is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that means “pleasing (Sanskrit); high, exalted (Hebrew)”.
Ram has separate roots in two traditions. In Sanskrit, rama means pleasing or charming, and Rama is the hero of the Ramayana, one of the most revered figures in Hinduism and an avatar of Vishnu. In the Hebrew Bible, Ram is an ancestor of King David, listed in the genealogy at the end of the Book of Ruth, where the name is taken to mean high or exalted. It is said RAHM in both traditions, not like the English word for a male sheep. The name is common in India and among Hindu families elsewhere, and it is also found in Israel.
Popularity over time
Ram first appears in US Social Security records in 1970. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,153 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 69 babies. In 2025, 49 babies were named Ram, and it ranked #2,671 nationally. That is 63% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,415 in 1980, #6,216 in 2000, #4,482 in 2010, and #2,671 in 2025. Of the 1,123 US boys named Ram since records began, 31% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 279 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Jaciel, Keshav, Geno, Ahron, and Lipa.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ram ranked highest in California and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #1662 | 10 |
| Texas | #1872 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ram is usually pronounced RAHM, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with R and ends in “-am”.
Middle names for Ram
A few middle names that flow with Ram: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ram
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Lists that include Ram
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ram mean?
Ram is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that means “pleasing (Sanskrit); high, exalted (Hebrew)”.
What is the origin of the name Ram?
Ram has Sanskrit, Hindi, and Hebrew roots. Ram has separate roots in two traditions.
Is Ram a popular name?
Not especially. Ram ranked #2,671 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ram a boy or girl name?
Ram is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ram?
Ram is usually pronounced RAHM. 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