Rakesh
Every Rakesh since 1966 — 442 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
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.
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
- Rakesh Sharma Astronaut · b. 1949
- Rakesh Roshan Actor · b. 1949
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
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 Sharma (astronaut), Rakesh Roshan (actor).