| Om | Rudra | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The sacred syllable | The roarer (Shiva) |
| Origin | sanskrit | sanskrit |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | OHM | RUD-ruh |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1983 | 2000 |
| Peak year | 2008 (153) | 2025 (152) |
| In 2025 | 66 | 152 |
| Trend | Declining | Near its peak |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Om | Rudra |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 411 | 725 |
| 2010s | 920 | 779 |
| 2000s | 968 | 259 |
| 1990s | 17 | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 | 0 |
From Sanskrit Om (ॐ), the sacred primordial sound and mantra regarded in Hindu tradition as the essence of the universe. Used as a name it carries that whole spiritual weight.
From Sanskrit rudra (रुद्र), the fierce Vedic storm deity whose name is traditionally derived from a root meaning 'to roar/cry'; it is a well-known epithet of Shiva. A divine name with connotations of awe-inspiring power.
Rudra is more popular than Om today: about 152 US babies were given the name Rudra in 2025, compared with 66 named Om.
Om means The sacred syllable (sanskrit origin), while Rudra means The roarer (Shiva) (sanskrit origin).
In US records, Om first appears in 1983 and Rudra in 2000, so Om has the longer recorded history.