Rajiv is a name of Indian origin, derived from the Sanskrit word 'raj', which means king or ruler. It is often used as a boy's name in India and other South Asian countries.
The name Rajiv was particularly notable during the late 20th century due to its association with the Nehru-Gandhi family, one of India's most prominent political dynasties. Rajiv Gandhi, born in 1944, was the son of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister after independence from British rule in 1947. Rajiv Gandhi himself served as Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989.
In addition to its historical significance, the name Rajiv also holds cultural and symbolic importance in Indian society. It is seen as a strong and authoritative name, reflecting the powerful and respected leaders it has been associated with throughout history.
Overall, the name Rajiv carries a rich heritage and cultural significance, making it a popular choice among parents seeking a meaningful and distinctive name for their child.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Rajiv has seen a varying degree of popularity over the years in the United States. The first recorded birth with the name Rajiv was in 1962, with only five births that year. This number increased to nine in 1964 and remained relatively low until a significant jump in 1985, with sixty births recorded.
The peak popularity of the name Rajiv occurred between 1980 and 1987, with the highest numbers being 60 births in 1985 and 29 births in 1988. After this period, the number of births with the name Rajiv began to decline steadily, reaching its lowest point in recent years with five births each in 2012 and 2019.
Overall, a total of 820 births with the name Rajiv have been recorded in the United States since 1962. This data demonstrates that while Rajiv was once a popular name, its popularity has since declined and remains relatively low today. Despite this decline, the name Rajiv still holds historical significance in the United States, as evidenced by the substantial number of individuals born with this name over the years.