| Rudra | Neel | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The roarer (Shiva) | Dark blue, sapphire |
| Origin | sanskrit | sanskrit |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | RUD-ruh | NEEL |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 2000 | 0 |
| Peak year | 2025 (152) | 2009 (148) |
| In 2025 | 152 | 0 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Steady |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Rudra | Neel |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 725 | 542 |
| 2010s | 779 | 964 |
| 2000s | 259 | 947 |
| 1990s | 0 | 456 |
| 1980s | 0 | 289 |
| 1970s | 0 | 119 |
| 1960s | 0 | 22 |
| 1950s | 0 | 14 |
| 1940s | 0 | 5 |
| 1930s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 | 16 |
| 1910s | 0 | 13 |
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.
From the Sanskrit नील (nīla), 'dark blue, indigo, sapphire'. A genuine classical colour word, also the root of 'neelam' (sapphire). Note: the similar-looking English/Irish name Neil (from Gaelic Niall) is a separate, unrelated name.
Rudra is more popular than Neel today: about 152 US babies were given the name Rudra in 2025, compared with 0 named Neel.
Rudra means The roarer (Shiva) (sanskrit origin), while Neel means Dark blue, sapphire (sanskrit origin).
In US records, Rudra first appears in 2000 and Neel in 0, so Neel has the longer recorded history.