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Rajiv
How to Pronounce Rajiv
Pronounced rah-JEEV /rɑːˈdʒiːv/Medium
Meaning: Rajiv is a Sanskrit name meaning 'striped' or 'streaked,' used classically as an epithet for the blue lotus flower. It is a well-established given name across India and reached wider Western awareness through the Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.Medium
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
Rajiv is a genuine Sanskrit name, from a word meaning 'striped' or 'streaked' that is applied poetically to the blue lotus. The lotus carries deep resonance in Indian culture, which has kept Rajiv a warm, dignified classic. Its appearance in American records tracks the growth of the Indian-American community.
In the United States the name rises through the later twentieth century, cresting around 1985 within Indian-American families, its visibility helped by the prominence of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. It has never been common in the broad American population but remains a recognizable, meaningful heritage name carried with pride.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Rajiv Gandhi (1944–1991)Indian politician who served as Prime Minister of India in the 1980s.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Rajiv mean?
Rajiv is a Sanskrit name meaning 'striped,' used classically for the blue lotus flower.
How do you pronounce Rajiv?
It's said rah-JEEV /rɑːˈdʒiːv/ — two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Rajiv a boy or girl name?
Rajiv is used as a boy's name.
How popular is Rajiv?
Rajiv is an uncommon name in the wider United States but a well-established classic among Indian and Indian-American families.