Sanjay
Borrowed from Sanskrit संजय (saṃjaya).
Every Sanjay since 1962 — 2,606 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sanjay
Sanjay is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #5,012 in 2025 with 20 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1962, 2,606 American babies have been named Sanjay. Its peak came in 2006, when 90 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 Sanjay stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sanjay year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20 | #5,012 |
| 2024 | 23 | #4,543 |
| 2023 | 22 | #4,718 |
| 2022 | 24 | #4,415 |
| 2021 | 16 | #5,741 |
| 2020 | 24 | #4,257 |
| 2019 | 31 | #3,621 |
| 2018 | 32 | #3,506 |
| 2017 | 38 | #3,111 |
| 2016 | 44 | #2,762 |
| 2015 | 76 | #1,928 |
| 2014 | 58 | #2,291 |
| 2013 | 71 | #1,959 |
| 2012 | 60 | #2,202 |
| 2011 | 71 | #1,962 |
| 2010 | 87 | #1,750 |
| 2009 | 86 | #1,770 |
| 2008 | 87 | #1,750 |
| 2007 | 73 | #1,942 |
| 2006 | 90 | #1,615 |
| 2005 | 61 | #2,055 |
| 2004 | 69 | #1,812 |
| 2003 | 65 | #1,840 |
| 2002 | 48 | #2,216 |
| 2001 | 48 | #2,179 |
| 2000 | 58 | #1,846 |
| 1995 | 39 | #2,133 |
| 1990 | 35 | #2,122 |
| 1985 | 28 | #2,064 |
| 1980 | 35 | #1,691 |
| 1975 | 39 | #1,423 |
| 1970 | 33 | #1,489 |
| 1965 | 14 | #2,253 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Sanjay
- Sanjay Gandhi Politician · 1946–1980
- Sanjay Dutt Actor · b. 1959
- Sanjay Leela Bhansali Film director · b. 1963
- Sanjay Gupta Writer · b. 1969
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sanjay mean?
Borrowed from Sanskrit संजय (saṃjaya).
How popular is the name Sanjay in 2025?
Sanjay ranked #5,012 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 20 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Sanjay?
2,606 babies have been named Sanjay in the United States since 1962, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sanjay most popular?
Sanjay peaked in 2006, when 90 newborns received the name.
Is Sanjay a boy or girl name?
Sanjay is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sanjay rising or falling?
Sanjay is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Sanjay?
Well-known people named Sanjay include Sanjay Gandhi (politician), Sanjay Dutt (actor), Sanjay Leela Bhansali (film director).