Arnav
From Sanskrit अर्णव (arṇava, “ocean, sea”).
Every Arnav since 1991 — 3,585 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Arnav
Arnav is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,887 in 2025 with 43 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1991, 3,585 American babies have been named Arnav. Its peak came in 2011, when 249 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
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 Arnav stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Arnav year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 43 | #2,887 |
| 2024 | 29 | #3,801 |
| 2023 | 36 | #3,298 |
| 2022 | 42 | #2,968 |
| 2021 | 38 | #3,127 |
| 2020 | 59 | #2,294 |
| 2019 | 76 | #1,939 |
| 2018 | 75 | #1,961 |
| 2017 | 92 | #1,708 |
| 2016 | 126 | #1,389 |
| 2015 | 103 | #1,567 |
| 2014 | 242 | #891 |
| 2013 | 229 | #907 |
| 2012 | 243 | #868 |
| 2011 | 249 | #855 |
| 2010 | 216 | #933 |
| 2009 | 241 | #875 |
| 2008 | 203 | #979 |
| 2007 | 205 | #959 |
| 2006 | 199 | #941 |
| 2005 | 179 | #972 |
| 2004 | 194 | #895 |
| 2003 | 158 | #1,001 |
| 2002 | 107 | #1,268 |
| 2001 | 70 | #1,659 |
| 2000 | 41 | #2,333 |
| 1995 | 8 | #6,449 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Arnav mean?
From Sanskrit अर्णव (arṇava, “ocean, sea”).
How popular is the name Arnav in 2025?
Arnav ranked #2,887 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 43 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Arnav?
3,585 babies have been named Arnav in the United States since 1991, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Arnav most popular?
Arnav peaked in 2011, when 249 newborns received the name.
Is Arnav a boy or girl name?
Arnav is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Arnav rising or falling?
Arnav is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.