Arjun

♂ Boy

Pronounced AR-jun /ˈɑːr.dʒʊn/High

Meaning: From Sanskrit 'arjuna' meaning white, bright, or clear; the name of the central hero of the Mahabharata, the great Hindu epic, and the recipient of the Bhagavad Gita's teaching from Lord KrishnaHigh

In 30 seconds: Arjun is the Sanskrit name of the Mahabharata's greatest warrior-hero, meaning 'white' or 'bright.' Deeply rooted in Hindu tradition and widely beloved in India, it has become one of the most recognized South Asian names in the Western world.

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Origin HighSanskrit

MeaningFrom Sanskrit 'arjuna' meaning white, bright, or clear; the name of the central hero of the Mahabharata, the great Hindu epic, and the recipient of the Bhagavad Gita's teaching from Lord Krishna

U.S. rank (2025)#490 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births615 boys (0.03% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2014

Total births (all-time)≈ 12,175

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Arjun (Sanskrit Arjuna) means 'white,' 'bright,' or 'clear,' from the Sanskrit root arj related to brightness and silver. In the Mahabharata, Arjuna is the third of the five Pandava brothers and the greatest archer in the world. His intimate dialogue with Lord Krishna forms the Bhagavad Gita, the foundational text of Hindu philosophy.

Arjun has been one of the most popular boys' names in India for centuries, used across Hindu communities throughout South Asia and the Indian diaspora. In the United States it has grown significantly as the South Asian community has expanded, and it now appears regularly in U.S. naming records, valued for its cultural depth and clean two-syllable sound.

Did you know? In the Bhagavad Gita — one of the most revered texts in Hindu philosophy — Arjun is the hesitant warrior to whom Lord Krishna reveals his divine teachings about duty, righteousness, and the nature of the soul. Arjun's moral dilemma on the battlefield has been discussed by philosophers worldwide for centuries.

Overall data confidence 97%

Behind the Name — Arjun — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ArjunaArjunn

Nicknames

ArjuArj

Famous Bearers

★Arjuna (Mahabharata)
Greatest warrior-hero of the Mahabharata, recipient of the Bhagavad Gita's teachings from Lord Krishna

If you like Arjun…

Rohan— shares the Sanskrit Hindu heritage and the same crisp South Asian appeal

Vikram— another classic Hindu epic name with the same warrior tradition

Krishna— shares the direct Mahabharata connection and the same devotional heritage

Rahul— shares the classic Indian boys' name tradition and the same diaspora visibility

Frequently Asked

What does Arjun mean?

Arjun means 'white,' 'bright,' or 'clear' in Sanskrit. He is the greatest warrior-hero of the Hindu epic Mahabharata and the recipient of the Bhagavad Gita.

How do you pronounce Arjun?

Arjun is pronounced AR-jun /ˈɑːr.dʒʊn/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Who is Arjun in Hindu mythology?

Arjuna is the central hero of the Mahabharata, a great archer and warrior who receives the philosophical teachings of the Bhagavad Gita from Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Is Arjun popular in the U.S.?

Arjun has been growing in the U.S. as the South Asian community has expanded, and it now ranks in the top 400 boys' names, recognized and used beyond the Indian diaspora.