Baby Names US
boys' name ★ peaked 1980

Rakesh

Gender Boy Rank 2025 Below top lists
Rank 2025
–
among boys
Babies in 2025
<5
named Rakesh
How common
–
boys born in 2025
Peak year
1980
21 babies
All-time total
442
#8,497 all-time among boys
First recorded
1966
in Social Security records

Rakesh popularity over time

442 babies have been named Rakesh since 1966, 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
00.010.010.0218801900192019401960198020002020Peak 1980Boys

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 16 2 – #3,874
1970s 129 13 +706% #2,397
1980s 153 15 +19% #2,399
1990s 75 8 -51% #5,683
2000s 58 6 -23% #5,992
2010s 11 1 -81% #11,824
2020s (to 2025) – – – –

The story of Rakesh

Rakesh 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 1966, 442 American babies have been named Rakesh. Its peak came in 1980, when 21 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 Rakesh stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Rakesh?

The median living Rakesh is about 41 years old; half are between 31 and 48. An estimated 400 people named Rakesh are alive in the United States today.

median 41 020406080100

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

Rakesh 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 – –
2016 – –
2015 – –
2014 – –
2013 6 #11,824
2012 – –
2011 – –
2010 5 #13,793
2009 – –
2008 – –
2007 – –
2006 7 #10,398
2005 – –
2004 12 #6,426
2003 6 #10,552
2002 12 #5,992
2001 10 #6,813
2000 11 #6,214
1995 5 #9,968
1990 9 #5,711
1985 15 #3,179
1980 21 #2,426
1975 17 #2,515
1970 9 #3,463
1965 – –
1960 – –
1955 – –
1950 – –
1945 – –
1940 – –
1935 – –
1930 – –
1925 – –
1920 – –
1915 – –
1910 – –
1905 – –
1900 – –
1895 – –
1890 – –
1885 – –
1880 – –

Famous people named Rakesh

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

  1. 1 Rakesh Roshan Rakesh Roshan Indian filmmaker (born 1949) Contemporary
  2. 2 Rakesh Sharma Rakesh Sharma First Indian to travel to space (born 1949) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Rakesh?

The median living Rakesh is about 41 years old. Half of all living Rakeshs are between 31 and 48 years old.

How many people named Rakesh are alive today?

An estimated 400 people named Rakesh are alive in the United States, based on 442 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Rakesh in 2025?

Rakesh 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 Rakesh?

442 babies have been named Rakesh in the United States since 1966, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Rakesh most popular?

Rakesh peaked in 1980, when 21 newborns received the name.

Is Rakesh a boy or girl name?

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

Is the name Rakesh rising or falling?

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

Who are famous people named Rakesh?

Well-known people named Rakesh include Rakesh Roshan (actor), Rakesh Sharma (astronaut).

Names like Rakesh

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

Compare Rakesh with similar names → More names starting with R →