Boy Name · Sanskrit Origin
Rahul
Rahul is a boy's name whose meaning is not firmly attested in the historical record. It is a boy's name of Sanskrit origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Rahul — a boy name from the Sanskrit tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. If Raoul is on your shortlist, Rahul belongs in the same conversation.
Rahul meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Rahul has a distinctive sound and evolving modern usage.
Origin: Sanskrit naming roots help connect Rahul to related Sanskrit baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Rahul as R·A·H·U·L, with 5 letters and a boy usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Rahul is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Rahul variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Rahula, Rahule, Rahuly, Rahu.
- Nicknames: Rah and R.
- Middle names: Pair Rahul with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Rahul middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Raoul, Raul, Rollo, Rolly, Reuel — full picks on the sibling names for Rahul guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Rahul? Browse our names like Rahul guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Rahul
What does the name Rahul mean?
Rahul has no single meaning that is firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a boy name in US birth records, and parents usually choose it for its sound rather than a documented meaning.
What is the origin of Rahul?
Rahul originates in Sanskrit naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Rahul?
Rahul has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Rahul a boy's or girl's name?
Rahul is primarily used as a boy's name in US records.
How popular is Rahul in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Rahul sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Rahul?
Names that share Rahul's sound and style include Raoul, Raul, Rollo, Rolly, Reuel.
What middle names pair well with Rahul?
Good middle-name fits for Rahul pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Rahul is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Rahul is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Rahul?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Rahul share its rhythm without rhyming — Raoul, Raul, Rollo all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.