Anuja
A girl's name of Sanskrit origin with 121 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Sanskrit used in India.
Anuja is a girl's baby name of Sanskrit origin meaning 'younger sister' — from the Sanskrit elements anu (following, after) and ja (born). In Hindu tradition, it is specifically used for a younger female sibling, and as a given name it carries the warmth and closeness of sisterhood.
Anuja is used across India and among South Asian diaspora communities. It has a soft, three-syllable quality with open vowels throughout. It is a name that celebrates birth order and family bonds — a daughter who comes after, bringing her own light to the family story.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Anuja is rooted in the Sanskrit tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1977 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Anuja’s rarity (121 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
Anuja has 18+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1977.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 14 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 31 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 30 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 41 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | — |
The Story of Anuja
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2000, Anuja is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Anuja are most likely born between 1990 and 2010.
How rare is Anuja?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Anuja is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1977, peaked in the 1980s with 41 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Anuja by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(18 years, 1977–2013)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 8 | #12117 |
| 2012 | 6 | #15150 |
| 2009 | 5 | #17576 |
| 2007 | 7 | #14074 |
| 2004 | 9 | #10783 |
| 2000 | 10 | #9229 |
| 1998 | 5 | #14325 |
| 1997 | 7 | #10946 |
| 1996 | 6 | #11942 |
| 1995 | 6 | #11900 |
| 1993 | 6 | #11892 |
| 1989 | 9 | #8091 |
| 1985 | 7 | #8389 |
| 1983 | 8 | #7352 |
| 1982 | 5 | #10611 |
| 1981 | 5 | #10519 |
| 1980 | 7 | #8222 |
| 1977 | 5 | #9728 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anuja a boy's or girl's name?
When was Anuja most popular?
How popular is the name Anuja?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1977–2013