Rajendra

Rajendra is a male given name of Sanskrit origin used across India and in some South Asian communities. The name is derived from the elements rājā (“king”) and indra, the king of the gods in Vedic myth, and is often understood to mean “king of kings” or “ruler of rulers.” It is found in various Indian languages and has been borne by rulers, saints, and contemporary figures alike.

Historically, Rajendra Chola I was a prominent ruler of the Chola dynasty in southern India, who reigned in the early 11th century and expanded the empire’s influence across the Indian Ocean. In modern times, Rajendra Prasad was a leading freedom fighter and the first President of India, serving from 1950 to 1962. The name has also been associated with social and environmental leadership, such as Rajendra Singh, an activist known for watershed development work and the Stockholm Water Prize recipient in 2015. In Indian cinema, Rajendra Kumar was a well-known actor who appeared in numerous Hindi films from the 1960s onward.

The name continues to be used across the Indian subcontinent and in diaspora communities, reflecting its regal etymology and cultural resonance.