Alok
A boy's name of Sanskrit origin with 212 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Sanskrit used in India.
Alok is a boy's baby name of Sanskrit origin, meaning 'light,' 'luminosity,' or 'brightness.' From the Sanskrit aloka (अलोक), it carries the sense of light illuminating darkness — both the physical brightness and the metaphorical light of knowledge and understanding.
Alok is widely used across India and among South Asian diaspora communities. Its short, clear sound and profound meaning make it a name that carries genuine aspiration — the hope that a child will bring light into the world and live with clarity of purpose.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Alok is rooted in the Sanskrit tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1968 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Alok’s rarity (212 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Alok has 29+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1968.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 12 | — |
| 2010s | 13 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 44 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 22 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 69 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 46 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 6 | — |
The Story of Alok
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1979, Alok is a Gen X staple. Boys named Alok are most likely born between 1969 and 1989.
How rare is Alok?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Alok is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1968, peaked in the 1980s with 69 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Alok by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(29 years, 1968–2023)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | #10878 |
| 2020 | 6 | #10659 |
| 2012 | 7 | #9754 |
| 2011 | 6 | #10867 |
| 2007 | 6 | #10989 |
| 2006 | 11 | #6923 |
| 2005 | 10 | #7121 |
| 2004 | 12 | #6150 |
| 2003 | 5 | #10960 |
| 1999 | 6 | #8743 |
| 1996 | 5 | #9062 |
| 1993 | 5 | #8736 |
| 1990 | 6 | #7209 |
| 1989 | 8 | #5639 |
| 1987 | 5 | #6988 |
| 1986 | 6 | #5951 |
| 1985 | 12 | #3608 |
| 1984 | 9 | #4225 |
| 1983 | 6 | #5507 |
| 1982 | 8 | #4612 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alok a boy's or girl's name?
When was Alok most popular?
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Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1968–2023