Raju is a Telugu variation of the Sanskrit word Raj and Raja meaning king, prince or Lord. Raju is used to refer to the Telugu Kshatriya caste in Andhra Pradesh. Kshatriya Rajus are said to be descendants of ancient Royal dynasties like Eastern Chalukyas, Chalukya-Cholas, Vishnukundina, Gajapati, Chagi, Paricheda, and Kota Vamsa. Over the centuries they have been called by various alternative names that signified their military status.

During the British Raj they were known as Ratsas and Rajavars, which means of or belonging to the caste of Ratsawars (Raja caste), using the title of Raju. Rajus are concentrated mainly in the coastal Andhra region with pockets in the Rayalaseema, North Arcot and Rajapalayam of Tamil Nadu, Bellary of Karnataka, and Ganjam of Orissa.