Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Varun
BoySanskrit· “Hindu god of water and sky”
- Meaning
- Hindu god of water and sky
- Origin
- Sanskrit
- Pronunciation
- vuh-ROON
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #6,111
- US babies 2025
- 15
- Best rank
- #1,094 (2004)
- Peak year
- 2004
Meaning and origin of Varun
Varun is a Sanskrit name that means “Hindu god of water and sky”.
Varun is the modern form of Varuna, a Vedic god who governs the waters, the sky and rita, the order of the cosmos. In the Rigveda he watches over truth and oaths, and later Hindu tradition places him as lord of the oceans. The name is used across India and in the diaspora, and it is usually said vuh-ROON, with the stress on the second syllable. Its clear, compact sound makes it practical in English as well as in Indian languages. Varun sits in the same family of classical Sanskrit names as Arjun, Ishaan and Rohan.
Popularity over time
Varun first appears in US Social Security records in 1981. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,094 in 2004, the same year it reached its highest count of 145 babies. In 2025, 15 babies were named Varun, and it ranked #6,111 nationally. That is 72% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,206 in 2000, #1,736 in 2010, and #6,111 in 2025. Of the 2,598 US boys named Varun since records began, 44% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 593 babies. Since 2010, 700 more have been named Varun.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Ashtin, Lazaro, Javan, Donavin, and Evin.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Varun ranked highest in California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2791 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Varun is usually pronounced vuh-ROON, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with V and ends in “-un”.
Middle names for Varun
A few middle names that flow with Varun: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Varun
Similar names
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Lists that include Varun
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Varun mean?
Varun is a Sanskrit name that means “Hindu god of water and sky”.
What is the origin of the name Varun?
Varun has Sanskrit roots. Varun is the modern form of Varuna, a Vedic god who governs the waters, the sky and rita, the order of the cosmos.
Is Varun a popular name?
Not especially. Varun ranked #6,111 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Varun a boy or girl name?
Varun is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Varun?
Varun is usually pronounced vuh-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