raaj

Raaj is a masculine given name and, less commonly, a surname used in South Asian communities. It is a transliteration variant of Raj, which derives from the Sanskrit word rāja meaning king or rule. The name carries royal connotations and is often chosen for its associations with leadership and authority.

Linguistically, Raaj is most common in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Marathi, and other Indian languages, and appears in diaspora communities around the world. The spelling with an extended vowel reflects the same root as Raj and Raja, and is typically pronounced as raaj with a long vowel sound, followed by a hard j.

As a given name, Raaj is widely used in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. It may appear alone or as part of compound names such as Raajesh or Raajan. In some families, it can also function as a surname or appear in patronymic naming patterns, depending on regional and familial conventions.

Variants and related names include Raj, Raja, Raje, Rajkumar, and Rajendra. Differences in transliteration and regional languages yield multiple spellings of the same root, all connected to the concept of kingship or sovereign authority.

In culture and media, the name Raaj has been used by public figures in Indian cinema, literature, and business, as well as by fictional characters, where it often signals nobility, valor, or leadership. The spelling Raaj is one of several common transliterations of the root name.