Raghu
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In Hindu mythology, Raghu was a valorous king of the Ikshavaku dynasty. The name in sanskrit translates to the fast one, deriving from Raghu's chariot driving abilities. So celebrated were the expliots of Raghu, that his dynasty itself came to be known as the Raghuvamsha or the Raghukula after him. The history of his dynasty is elaborated upon by Kalidasa in his Raghuvamsha. The lineage described in the Raghuvamsha goes thus: Dileepa was the father of Raghu, who was the father of Aja, who was the father of Dasaratha, who was the father of Rama.
Raghu's father Dileepa was a very pious king, and performed as many as 100 yagnas or sacrificial rituals. Until he did so, only Indra, king of the Gods, had earned that distinction. In a bid to prevent Dileepa from equaling his record, Indra placed many hurdles in the path of the successful completion of the 100th sacrifice, but Raghu was able to prevail over the forces of Indra himself, and the sacrifice was completed successfully.
Raghu is best known today as the great-grandfather of Rama. There are indications that in the classical period, Raghu was a heroic personality of far greater importance that what one would imagine today. The epic composed by the classical poet Kalidasa on the lives of the ancestors of Rama is entitled Raghu-vamsham or the "Dynasty of Raghu". Indeed, Rama himself is known by many appelations (such as Raghava and Raghukula Nayaka), indicative of his belonging to the family of Raghu, which again serves to underscore the great prestige enjoyed by Raghu in the puranic era.
Examples of Modern Raghus
Raghu Sunkara - one who carries the ancient tradition of the Raghus to this very day.
Raghu Rai - an Indian photographer best known for his photos of the Bhopal disaster.
Raghu Ramakrishnan - a professor of computer sciences at The University of Wisconsin.
Raghu Machiraju - an associate professor in Ohio State University.
Raghu Lokanathan - a promiment folk musician who resides in British Columbia.
Raghu Maran - a lesser Raghu who lives in the Southern Hemisphere.