Uday
Meaningrising, dawn · Sanskrit
Uday is an Indian boy name meaning “rising, dawn”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationUday peaked in 2005, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Uday you'd meet today is about 20 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Uday would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 169,492 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryUday first shows up in US birth records in 1977, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 48 years since.
US births per million boys, 1977–2025
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Uday
Uday is a boy name of Indian origin meaning “rising, dawn”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 2000s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian boy names
- Unisex name: Makai · toward the sea
- Boy name: Arjun · bright, shining
- Boy name: Zain · beauty, grace
- Unisex name: Idris · possibly studious
- Boy name: Aarav · peaceful, calm
- Unisex name: Rohan · ascending
- Unisex name: Aryan · noble
- Boy name: Ishaan · lord, ruler
Questions about the name Uday
What does the name Uday mean?
Uday means “rising, dawn” and comes from Sanskrit. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Udayan (“rising”).
What is the origin of the name Uday?
Uday is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Sanskrit. Other Indian names to consider are Makai (“toward the sea”), Arjun (“bright, shining”), Zain (“beauty, grace”) and Idris (“possibly studious”).
Is Uday a boy or girl name?
Uday is a boy name. In 2025, 10 US boys were named Uday.
How popular is the name Uday?
Uday ranked #7,679 for US boys in 2025, given to 10 babies. Its best year was 2005, when it reached #5,578. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,875 places.
What names are similar to Uday?
If you like Uday, you might also like Udayan.
What should I know before naming my baby Uday?
Uday is an Indian boy name meaning “rising, dawn”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.