Anup

A boy's name of Sanskrit origin with 203 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's nameRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

Anubis

Anup is a boy's baby name of Sanskrit origin, meaning 'incomparable' or 'without equal,' from the Sanskrit prefix an- (without) and upa (comparison or parallel).

Anup is a common name in India and Nepal, used across Hindu communities. It also resonates with the ancient Egyptian name Anubis, though the Sanskrit meaning is distinct. The name is associated with the concept of singular, unrivaled excellence.

EtymologyShow more

Anup appeared in SSA records in 1973, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Sanskrit roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.

With only 203 recorded births, Anup has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.

At a Glance

203

Total births

Since 1973

1982

Peak

13 births

1973

First recorded

45 years of data

Compare Anup with another name

Popularity Over Time

Anup has 27+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1973.

First appeared: 1973Peak: 1982 (13 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Anup
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2010s	25	#10550	▲
2000s	14	#8949	▼
1990s	34	#7169	▼
1980s	95	#4492	▲
1970s	35	#5181	—

The Story of Anup

A Millennial name

Peaking in 1982, Anup is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Anup are most likely born between 1973 and 1992.

How rare is Anup?

With fewer than 500 recorded births, Anup is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1973, peaked in the 1980s with 95 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Anup by the numbers

Would fill 4 school buses

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(27 years, 1973–2017)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Anup
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2017	6	#10874	-1 (-14.3%)
2015	7	#9641	+1 (16.7%)
2014	6	#10803	0
2012	6	#10883	-1 (-14.3%)
2006	7	#9643	0
2000	7	#8255	0
1997	7	#7328	+2 (40.0%)
1996	5	#9093	-2 (-28.6%)
1993	7	#6855	0
1992	7	#6707	-1 (-12.5%)
1990	8	#5863	+2 (33.3%)
1989	6	#6998	-4 (-40.0%)
1988	10	#4469	-3 (-23.1%)
1987	13	#3535	+1 (8.3%)
1986	12	#3662	+5 (71.4%)
1985	7	#5176	-3 (-30.0%)
1984	10	#3937	+4 (66.7%)
1983	6	#5521	-7 (-53.8%)
1982	13	#3296	+4 (44.4%)
1981	9	#4168	0

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anup a boy's or girl's name?

Anup is primarily a boy's name.

When was Anup most popular?

Anup reached its peak popularity in 1982 with 13 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Anup?

Anup is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 203 babies in the U.S. since 1973. Its peak was in 1982.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1973–2017