"unstoppable, unobstructed"
Anirudh
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An unstoppable Sanskrit name of a divine grandson of Krishna
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"one who cannot be held back"
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Browse nicknames →The Story of Anirudh
Anirudh (also Aniruddha) is a Sanskrit name meaning 'unstoppable,' 'unobstructed,' or 'one who cannot be hindered.' It derives from 'a' (not) + 'niruddha' (obstructed, held back). In Hindu mythology, Aniruddha is a significant figure — the grandson of Lord Krishna and son of Pradyumna, known as one of the four aspects (vyuha) of Lord Vishnu in Vaishnavism.
Anirudh has been a consistently popular name across South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. In the modern era, South Indian composer Anirudh Ravichander brought global attention to the name through his phenomenally successful film scores.
Aniruddha is one of the four Vyuha (divine emanations) of Lord Vishnu in Vaishnavite theology, representing the cosmic function of consciousness. In the Bhagavata Purana, Aniruddha's love story with Usha (daughter of the demon Banasura) is one of Hindu mythology's most celebrated romantic tales.
Historical Record
Anirudh first appeared in US Social Security records in 1991.
Over 1,520 babies have been named Anirudh in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Anirudh is past its peak , currently ranked #4,709 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Aniruddha appears in the Bhagavata Purana as the grandson of Krishna who fell in love with Usha through a dream
- Composer Anirudh Ravichander's debut film Kolaveri Di became India's first viral internet song in 2011
- In Vaishnavism, Aniruddha represents the cosmic power of consciousness and is one of four divine manifestations of Vishnu
Anirudh in Other Languages
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Anirudh
Anirudh Ravichander
Musician
1990
Indian film composer and singer known for the viral hit Kolaveri Di and scores for major Tamil and Hindi films
Aniruddha (mythological)
Religious
Grandson of Lord Krishna in Hindu mythology, hero of the romantic tale of Usha and Aniruddha in the Bhagavata Purana
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,709
- Total SSA Count
- 21
- Cultural Origins
- Indian Hindu Tamil Telugu Kannada
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Anirudh
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Anirudh
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About the Name Anirudh
Anirudh is a boy name with Indian, Hindu, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada origins . The name means "unstoppable, unobstructed" in Sanskrit .
Anirudh is currently ranked #4,709 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Anirudh has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Anirudh include Ani, Rudh, and Anu. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis