Neeraj: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Neeraj

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1980

14 babies

All-time total

328

#10,107 all-time among boys

First recorded

1970

in Social Security records

Neeraj popularity over time

328 babies have been named Neeraj since 1970, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	–	–	–	–
1920s	–	–	–	–
1930s	–	–	–	–
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	72	7	–	#2,898
1980s	88	9	+22%	#3,204
1990s	79	8	-10%	#5,240
2000s	62	6	-22%	#6,310
2010s	27	3	-56%	#11,767
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

The story of Neeraj

Neeraj is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1970, 328 American babies have been named Neeraj. Its peak came in 1980, when 14 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1980s.

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 Neeraj stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Neeraj?

The median living Neeraj is about 34 years old; half are between 24 and 45. An estimated 300 people named Neeraj are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Neeraj year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	–	–
2023	–	–
2022	–	–
2021	–	–
2020	–	–
2019	–	–
2018	–	–
2017	6	#11,767
2016	–	–
2015	–	–
2014	–	–
2013	5	#13,474
2012	5	#13,634
2011	6	#11,843
2010	5	#13,672
2009	8	#9,610
2008	9	#8,800
2007	5	#13,812
2006	–	–
2005	8	#8,856
2004	–	–
2003	7	#9,326
2002	6	#10,269
2001	11	#6,310
2000	8	#7,963
1995	7	#7,558
1990	5	#9,082
1985	5	#7,265
1980	14	#3,204
1975	5	#6,040
1970	5	#5,223
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	–	–
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Neeraj

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Neeraj Chopra Indian javelin thrower (born 1997) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Neeraj, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Neeraj?

The median living Neeraj is about 34 years old. Half of all living Neerajs are between 24 and 45 years old.

How many people named Neeraj are alive today?

An estimated 300 people named Neeraj are alive in the United States, based on 328 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Neeraj mean?

Borrowed from Sanskrit नीरज (nīraja).

How popular is the name Neeraj in 2025?

Neeraj did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Neeraj?

328 babies have been named Neeraj in the United States since 1970, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Neeraj most popular?

Neeraj peaked in 1980, when 14 newborns received the name.

Is Neeraj a boy or girl name?

Neeraj is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Neeraj rising or falling?

Neeraj is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Neeraj?

Well-known people named Neeraj include Neeraj Chopra (athlete).

Names like Neeraj

Names that sound and feel close to Neeraj: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Neeraj with similar names → More names starting with N →