Anirudh

Anirudh is a male given name of Indian origin. It is a variant of Aniruddha and is common in India and among Indian communities abroad. The name is typically interpreted as meaning unobstructed or unhindered, derived from Sanskrit elements that convey the idea of not being impeded.

In Hindu mythology, Anirudh is the grandson of Krishna, the son of Pradyumna and Rukmavati. He features in classical tales as a brave and auspicious figure; his romance and marriage to Usha, daughter of the demon king Bana (Banasura), appears in various Puranic and epic retellings.

The name has gained popularity in modern times across communities that use Sanskrit-derived names. It is used across languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi, and is common among the Indian diaspora in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Variants include Aniruddh, Anirudh, and Aniruddha, with the pronunciation often rhotic in English-speaking contexts.

Notable people named Anirudh include Anirudh Ravichander (born 1990), an Indian film composer and singer known for his work in Tamil cinema and popular music. Other bearers include individuals in fields such as technology, academia, and the arts, reflecting the name’s broad cultural reach.

See also: Aniruddha, a related name. Anirudh across spelling variants.