Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ravi
BoySanskrit, Hindi· “sun”
- Meaning
- sun
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Hindi
- Pronunciation
- RAH-vee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,249
- US babies 2025
- 160
- Best rank
- #1,047 (1985)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Ravi
Ravi is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that means “sun”.
Ravi is a Sanskrit name meaning sun. In Hindu tradition, Ravi is one of the names of the sun god Surya, and the word also gives the Sanskrit name for Sunday, Ravivara. The name has been used across India for many centuries and remains a staple in Hindi-speaking families and throughout South Asia. It is said RAH-vee. One of the best-known bearers is the sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, who introduced Indian classical music to Western audiences. Ravi is also the name of a river in the Punjab region. The name combines a bright meaning with a simple, two-syllable form.
Popularity over time
Ravi first appears in US Social Security records in 1963. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,047 in 1985, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 167 were named Ravi. In 2025, 160 babies were named Ravi, and it ranked #1,249 nationally. That is 240% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,174 in 1980, #1,844 in 2000, #2,999 in 2010, and #1,249 in 2025. Of the 3,605 US boys named Ravi since records began, 20% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 673 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Thorin, Dovid, Arman, Perseus, and Shivansh.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ravi ranked highest in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #171 | 40 |
| New Jersey | #639 | 11 |
| Florida | #802 | 19 |
| South Carolina | #847 | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | #990 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Ravi is usually pronounced RAH-vee, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with R and ends in “-vi”.
Middle names for Ravi
A few middle names that flow with Ravi: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ravi
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Lists that include Ravi
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ravi mean?
Ravi is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that means “sun”.
What is the origin of the name Ravi?
Ravi has Sanskrit and Hindi roots. Ravi is a Sanskrit name meaning sun.
Is Ravi a popular name?
Not especially. Ravi ranked #1,249 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ravi a boy or girl name?
Ravi is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Ravi?
Ravi is usually pronounced RAH-vee. 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