Chetan
Borrowed from Sanskrit चेतन (cetana).
Every Chetan since 1972 — 478 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Chetan
Chetan is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #12,392 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1972, 478 American babies have been named Chetan. Its peak came in 2012, when 21 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 Chetan stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Chetan year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #12,392 |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | 6 | #11,081 |
| 2022 | 13 | #6,553 |
| 2021 | 5 | #12,481 |
| 2020 | 11 | #7,121 |
| 2019 | 5 | #12,504 |
| 2018 | 9 | #8,283 |
| 2017 | 8 | #9,003 |
| 2016 | 10 | #7,696 |
| 2015 | 9 | #8,159 |
| 2014 | 15 | #5,775 |
| 2013 | 12 | #6,678 |
| 2012 | 21 | #4,565 |
| 2011 | 16 | #5,468 |
| 2010 | 18 | #5,080 |
| 2009 | 13 | #6,495 |
| 2008 | 16 | #5,532 |
| 2007 | 16 | #5,474 |
| 2006 | 15 | #5,567 |
| 2005 | 13 | #5,924 |
| 2004 | 10 | #7,061 |
| 2003 | 10 | #6,813 |
| 2002 | 7 | #8,609 |
| 2001 | 15 | #4,926 |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 7 | #7,111 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 16 | #2,965 |
| 1980 | 15 | #2,981 |
| 1975 | 7 | #4,391 |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Chetan
- Chetan Anand Film director · 1915–1997
- Chetan Bhagat Writer · b. 1974
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Chetan mean?
Borrowed from Sanskrit चेतन (cetana).
How popular is the name Chetan in 2025?
Chetan ranked #12,392 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Chetan?
478 babies have been named Chetan in the United States since 1972, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Chetan most popular?
Chetan peaked in 2012, when 21 newborns received the name.
Is Chetan a boy or girl name?
Chetan is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Chetan rising or falling?
Chetan is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Chetan?
Well-known people named Chetan include Chetan Anand (film director), Chetan Bhagat (writer).