Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Rudra isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 2000. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Rudra through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,795
- 1,763 boys · 32 girls
- Most popular year
- 2025
- 152 babies
- 2025
- 152
- #1,289 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +27%
- Rising
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 152 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,289 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 26.2% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (26). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,386 as a first name in 2020; 252 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
The ring: across languages.
Across languages 1
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
Similar names
If you love Rudra, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Riot
85% boys · 15% girls
Roper
“one who makes rope”
98% boys · 2% girls
Romir
>99% boys
Lucca
“surrounded by light”
93% boys · 7% girls
Koda
Koda is a masculine given name.
91% boys · 9% girls
Ramiri
>99% boys
Rasai
>99% boys
Ronin
“a Samurai who doesn't have a master”
98% boys · 2% girls