Niraj

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Niraj

Pronounced nee-RAHJ /niˈrɑdʒ/Medium

Meaning: Niraj is an Indian name from the Sanskrit niraja, joining nir ('water') and ja ('born'), so 'born of water,' a poetic term for the lotus flower. The lotus is a cherished symbol of purity and beauty in Indian tradition.Medium

In 30 seconds: Niraj is a Sanskrit name meaning 'lotus,' literally 'born of water.' It stayed rare in the United States, peaking in the early nineteen-nineties (said nee-RAHJ).

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Origin MediumSanskrit, Indian

MeaningNiraj is an Indian name from the Sanskrit niraja, joining nir ('water') and ja ('born'), so 'born of water,' a poetic term for the lotus flower. The lotus is a cherished symbol of purity and beauty in Indian tradition.

U.S. rank (2019)#10489 ↗ Rising

2019 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1991

Total births (all-time)≈ 331

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Niraj comes from the Sanskrit niraja, 'born of water,' a poetic name for the lotus. Rich in cultural meaning across India, the lotus stands for purity and grace. In American records the name appears chiefly among Indian-American families, keeping its heritage and its soft, two-beat sound.

Niraj was always rare in the United States, given to only about twenty boys a year at its peak around 1991, rising with South Asian immigration. A boy named Niraj then is in his thirties today.

Did you know? The lotus that Niraj names rises clean and bright from muddy water, which is why Indian tradition treasures it as a symbol of purity, and why 'born of water' is such a fitting meaning.

Overall data confidence 65%

References - Niraj — Sanskrit niraja 'born of water' (lotus)

Variations

NeerajNiragNiraaj

Nicknames

Niru

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Nikhil— a like popular Indian boy's name

Raj— shares the -raj sound and heritage

Suraj— another Sanskrit nature name

Navraj— shares the -aj ending

Viraj— echoes that soft -aj sound

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Niraj mean?

It is a Sanskrit name meaning 'lotus,' literally 'born of water.'

How do you pronounce Niraj?

It is said nee-RAHJ /niˈrɑdʒ/, two syllables with the stress on the second.

Is Niraj a boy or girl name?

Niraj is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Niraj?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about twenty boys a year at its peak in the early nineteen-nineties.