Rahul

What does Rahul mean?

Rahul is documented as a given name and as Rahula, the Buddha's son; that figure is the established association. ‘Capable’ and ‘efficient’, although offered in name lists, are not supported by either source here: Wiktionary's Sanskrit entry leaves the etymology unknown, and Monier-Williams records the name without an adjective meaning. A literal meaning therefore remains unresolved.

Source: Wiktionary, राहुल. How we use sources.

Spelling and pronunciation

राहुल is read raa-hul, in two Hindi syllables with a long aa and a short u like that in ‘put’. Sound the h between the vowels. Rahula retains the Sanskrit final vowel and is a form used for the Buddhist figure.

Also spelled Rahula.

Rahul in tradition and story

Rahula was the son of Siddhartha Gautama and later entered the Buddhist order as a young novice. The cited dictionaries identify this Buddhist figure directly, giving Rahul a documented religious and personal association even though its etymology is uncertain.