Chandra
Borrowed from Sanskrit चन्द्र (candrá, “moon”)
Every Chandra since 1935 — 17,349 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Chandra
Chandra is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1935, 17,349 American babies have been named Chandra. Its peak came in 1975, when 753 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Chandra stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Chandra year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | 8 | #11,394 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | 8 | #11,585 | — | — |
| 2018 | 6 | #14,161 | — | — |
| 2017 | 16 | #7,168 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | 7 | #13,300 | — | — |
| 2014 | 6 | #14,965 | — | — |
| 2013 | 13 | #8,693 | — | — |
| 2012 | 10 | #10,600 | — | — |
| 2011 | 18 | #6,915 | — | — |
| 2010 | 7 | #13,762 | — | — |
| 2009 | 23 | #5,930 | — | — |
| 2008 | 22 | #6,170 | — | — |
| 2007 | 29 | #4,983 | — | — |
| 2006 | 39 | #3,868 | — | — |
| 2005 | 43 | #3,467 | — | — |
| 2004 | 41 | #3,576 | — | — |
| 2003 | 60 | #2,644 | — | — |
| 2002 | 53 | #2,826 | — | — |
| 2001 | 82 | #2,051 | — | — |
| 2000 | 76 | #2,125 | — | — |
| 1995 | 137 | #1,247 | — | — |
| 1990 | 280 | #742 | — | — |
| 1985 | 409 | #496 | — | — |
| 1980 | 573 | #396 | — | — |
| 1975 | 747 | #307 | 6 | #4,888 |
| 1970 | 695 | #357 | — | — |
| 1965 | 284 | #567 | — | — |
| 1960 | 153 | #833 | — | — |
| 1955 | 79 | #1,119 | — | — |
| 1950 | 19 | #2,263 | — | — |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,096 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | 6 | #3,820 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Chandra
- Chandra Bahadur Dangi Celebrity · 1939–2015
- Chandra Shekhar Azad Politician · 1906–1931
- Chandra Shekhar Politician · 1927–2007
- Chandra Wilson Actor · b. 1969
- Chandra Sturrup Athlete · b. 1971
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Chandra mean?
Borrowed from Sanskrit चन्द्र (candrá, “moon”)
How popular is the name Chandra in 2025?
Chandra did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Chandra?
17,349 babies have been named Chandra in the United States since 1935, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Chandra most popular?
Chandra peaked in 1975, when 753 newborns received the name.
Is Chandra a boy or girl name?
Chandra is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Chandra rising or falling?
Chandra is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Chandra?
Well-known people named Chandra include Chandra Bahadur Dangi (celebrity), Chandra Shekhar Azad (politician), Chandra Shekhar (politician).