Vijay
BoySanskrit, Hindi· “victory”
- Meaning
- victory
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Hindi
- Pronunciation
- VEE-jay
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #13,771
- US babies 2025
- 5
- Best rank
- #1,394 (1982)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Vijay
Vijay is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that means “victory”.
Vijay comes from the Sanskrit vijaya, victory or triumph. It is a common name in India and the diaspora, used among Hindus, Sikhs and others, and it appears in epic and religious literature. Related names include Vijaya for girls and Vijendra. In the US it is usually said VEE-jay, while in India the stress is more even, vih-JAY. The spelling is straightforward. VJ is a familiar nickname. Overall, it has a clear, confident meaning.
Popularity over time
Vijay 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 #1,394 in 1982, and the most babies received it in 2006, when 49 were named Vijay. In 2025, 5 babies were named Vijay, and it ranked #13,771 nationally. That is 58% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,473 in 1980, #2,327 in 2000, #4,228 in 2010, and #13,771 in 2025. Of the 1,495 US boys named Vijay since records began, 25% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 364 babies. Since 2010, 158 more have been named Vijay.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Keylan, Karlos, Damario, Wil, and Macario.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Vijay is usually pronounced VEE-jay, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with V and ends in “-ay”.
Middle names for Vijay
A few middle names that flow with Vijay: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Vijay
Similar names
Lists that include Vijay
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vijay mean?
Vijay is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that means “victory”.
What is the origin of the name Vijay?
Vijay has Sanskrit and Hindi roots. Vijay comes from the Sanskrit vijaya, victory or triumph.
Is Vijay a popular name?
Not especially. Vijay ranked #13,771 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Vijay a boy or girl name?
Vijay is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Vijay?
Vijay is usually pronounced VEE-jay. 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