Indian names have a way of repeating themselves. Ask any person to name 10 people they grew up with, and chances are at least three names will overlap. Every classroom had two Priyas. Every office had a Neha.
And every family function came with at least one Pooja you had to clarify by surname. The internet seems to agree. A radio clip counting down the most common names in India is now doing the rounds on Instagram, and people are reacting like they’ve been personally called out.
The Countdown That Sparked Curiosity
The clip opens with the hosts saying, “The most common names in India.” From there, the countdown begins.
“Number 10, we’ve got Ananya. Number 9 is Priyanka. Number 8 is Shruti,” one host says. The list keeps moving fast. “Then we’ve got Priya. So number 6 is Ashwariya. Yes, and Priya. And number 5, we’ve got Aditi.”
As the video continues, names familiar to millions across the country keep popping up. “Then we’ve got Shreya. Then we’ve got Riya. Then we’ve got Neha. Then we’ve got Khushi.”
At one point, even the hosts seem amused. “Khushi has beaten Neha? Yeah, so that’s what happened. Right?” comes the reaction on air.
Then comes the final reveal. “Most awaited number one. Ladies and gentlemen, no points in guessing. It is Pooja.”
Watch it here:
How Did The Internet React?
The comment section quickly turned into a roll call. Viewers tagged friends, siblings and themselves. Many joked about feeling “personally attacked” by how accurate the list felt. Others laughed at hearing their own name announced so casually.
Several users pointed out how nearly every Indian classroom or office has at least one Priya, Neha or Pooja. The line “Khushi has beaten Neha?” became a comment favourite, quoted repeatedly.
In under 30 seconds, the clip tapped into shared experience. Common names, familiar sounds and inside jokes that didn’t need explanation. Whether the list is definitive or not almost feels beside the point now. The clip has already done its job. It made people pause, smile and check one thing.
Is your name on the list?
