Ram Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

About Ram

One of the most familiar, and assertive, names found throughout the Middle East and India, Ram has an assertive and solid air about it. Derived from a number of different origins, in English speaking countries, it may also be considered a word name, associated with a horned male sheep — or a form of computer memory.

From its Sanskrit and Hindi origins, Ram means "pleasing" or "beautiful" and serves as a modern form of Rama. It therefore holds significance in Hindu tradition, being both an incarnation of the god Vishnu, and the hero of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana.

Alternatively, the name can be associated with the Arabic Rami, meaning "archer, bowman" and is linked to the star sign of Sagittarius. It also appears in the Bible, in the Old Testament, where it means "exalted" from its Hebrew origins, though it may also come from Ramiel ("thunder of God") or Remiel ("God will have pity").

Additional origins of Ram include it being used as: a Filipino short form of Ramon ("wise protector"); a Mandaean name used in Iraq and Iran meaning "thunder"; a Chin name used in Myanmar meaning "land, country"; and an English word name for a male sheep, likely derived from Old English and meaning "strong".

Pronounced RAM.

As of October 2026, Ram ranked #2671 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #2144 in 2024.

Editor: Sophie Kihm

Sources: US popularity data is from the Social Security Administration. Meanings and origins are from Nameberry's name references.

Editorial policy

Popularity & trends

US popularity — history

US rank, lower is more popular · SSA data 2014–2025

Actual · SSA

20142025

18802025

Data table

Year	US rank	Births	Per million
2014	#2,972	39	20.3
2015	#3,659	30	15.7
2016	#2,874	42	22.1
2017	#2,830	43	23.2
2018	#3,353	34	18.7
2019	#3,970	27	15
2020	#3,630	30	17.4
2021	#3,342	35	20
2022	#2,580	53	30.4
2023	#2,925	43	25.1
2024	#2,144	69	40
2025	#2,671	49	28.7