| Dhruv | Rishi | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Pole star; constant, steadfast | Sage, seer |
| Origin | sanskrit | sanskrit |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | DHROOV | RISH-ee |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1987 | 0 |
| Peak year | 2019 (210) | 2023 (229) |
| In 2025 | 195 | 0 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Steady |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Dhruv | Rishi |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,153 | 1,156 |
| 2010s | 1,699 | 1,322 |
| 2000s | 1,335 | 1,578 |
| 1990s | 264 | 523 |
| 1980s | 23 | 432 |
| 1970s | 0 | 131 |
From the Sanskrit ध्रुव (dhruva), 'fixed, firm, immovable, constant'; also the name of the Pole Star and of the boy-devotee Dhruva in the Puranas, who became the unwavering North Star.
From the Sanskrit ऋषि (ṛṣi), 'a seer, sage, inspired poet' — the title of the sages to whom the Vedic hymns were revealed. A firmly established classical word.
Dhruv is more popular than Rishi today: about 195 US babies were given the name Dhruv in 2025, compared with 0 named Rishi.
Dhruv means Pole star; constant, steadfast (sanskrit origin), while Rishi means Sage, seer (sanskrit origin).
In US records, Dhruv first appears in 1987 and Rishi in 0, so Rishi has the longer recorded history.