WeeNames Scotland’s favourite name finder

← All names

Arun

Boy name · 26 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Arun: 26 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 5 births in 2004.

Arun is a name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "dawn" or "reddish glow of the rising sun," and is linked to the Hindu god of the dawn, often depicted as Surya’s charioteer. Though rooted in South Asia, it has been given in Scotland for decades, reflecting its international appeal. Notable bearers include Arun Gandhi, the peace activist and grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, and Arun Jaitley, a former Indian finance minister who shaped modern India’s economy. The name inspired Arunachal Pradesh, an Indian state whose name translates to "dawn-lit mountains," evoking the first light over the Himalayas. A subtle but interesting correlation: Arun is also a river in southern England, though that name stems from a separate Celtic root meaning "white" or "flowing," showing how a single name can cross cultures in unexpected ways.

Boy 7 of 52 years

Peak year
20045 babies
Latest (2007)
#5953 babies
Total births
26since 2001
5-year trend
▲ 33%vs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2004 · 5
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).