Rahul
Transliteration of Sanskrit राहुल (rāhula)
Every Rahul since 1966 — 3,332 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Rahul
Rahul is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #9,498 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1966, 3,332 American babies have been named Rahul. Its peak came in 2000, when 196 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
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 Rahul stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Rahul year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | #9,498 |
| 2024 | 6 | #12,017 |
| 2023 | 10 | #8,118 |
| 2022 | 10 | #8,163 |
| 2021 | 10 | #8,024 |
| 2020 | 7 | #10,346 |
| 2019 | 7 | #10,557 |
| 2018 | 13 | #6,620 |
| 2017 | 14 | #6,265 |
| 2016 | 16 | #5,731 |
| 2015 | 14 | #6,235 |
| 2014 | 30 | #3,597 |
| 2013 | 29 | #3,637 |
| 2012 | 37 | #3,099 |
| 2011 | 41 | #2,888 |
| 2010 | 57 | #2,282 |
| 2009 | 63 | #2,159 |
| 2008 | 84 | #1,788 |
| 2007 | 93 | #1,655 |
| 2006 | 105 | #1,466 |
| 2005 | 128 | #1,240 |
| 2004 | 166 | #999 |
| 2003 | 162 | #982 |
| 2002 | 171 | #944 |
| 2001 | 187 | #860 |
| 2000 | 196 | #818 |
| 1995 | 90 | #1,231 |
| 1990 | 45 | #1,774 |
| 1985 | 51 | #1,369 |
| 1980 | 38 | #1,585 |
| 1975 | 38 | #1,444 |
| 1970 | 10 | #3,230 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Rahul
- Rahul Sankrityayan Writer · 1893–1963
- Rahul Gandhi Politician · b. 1970
- Rahul Bose Actor · b. 1967
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rahul mean?
Transliteration of Sanskrit राहुल (rāhula)
How popular is the name Rahul in 2025?
Rahul ranked #9,498 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Rahul?
3,332 babies have been named Rahul in the United States since 1966, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Rahul most popular?
Rahul peaked in 2000, when 196 newborns received the name.
Is Rahul a boy or girl name?
Rahul is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Rahul rising or falling?
Rahul is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Rahul?
Well-known people named Rahul include Rahul Sankrityayan (writer), Rahul Gandhi (politician), Rahul Bose (actor).