NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Rabaab

An Arabic feminine name meaning "stringed musical instrument" or "lute".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 10 boys.

Rabaab is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Rabaab popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2411, with 11 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 11 births.

This profile covers 36 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2021 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Rabaab is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 36 living people in the UK are called Rabaab. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Rabaab ranked #2411 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 11 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 11 girls were registered as Rabaab.
  • Rabaab is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 36 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rabaab as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 78.3% of Rabaab registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2411

2024

Births in 2024

11

Latest year

Peak year

2024

11 births

Estimated living

36

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Rabaab

In England and Wales birth records, Rabaab has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 21.7% of registrations are for boys and 78.3% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

22% boys
78% girls
Boys10 (21.7%)Girls36 (78.3%)

Rabaab registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,254 in 2024
  • 6 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2024 (6 births)

Rabaab registered for girls

  • Ranked #2,411 in 2024
  • 11 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2024 (11 births)

Meaning

What does Rabaab mean?

The name Rabaab finds its origins in the Arabic language and culture, with roots dating back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "rabab," which refers to a stringed instrument similar to a lyre or rebec, known for its rich, melodic tones.

This name's connection to music and the arts stems from its linguistic roots, suggesting a deep appreciation for the arts and creative expression among those who bore this name in ancient times. The rabab instrument held significant cultural importance in the Middle East and was often played during poetic recitations, storytelling, and celebrations.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Rabaab can be found in medieval Arabic poetry, where it was used as a metaphor to describe the enchanting melodies and rhythm of verse. Poets would liken the flow and cadence of their compositions to the captivating strings of the rabab, evoking a sense of artistic beauty and harmony.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Rabaab. One such figure was Rabaab al-Qadiri (930-1025 CE), a renowned Sufi mystic and scholar from Baghdad. Her spiritual teachings and literary works influenced generations of Islamic thinkers and philosophers.

Another prominent bearer of this name was Rabaab al-Adawiyya (718-801 CE), a revered female saint and mystic from Basra, Iraq. She was known for her wisdom, piety, and profound spiritual insights, which earned her a dedicated following during her lifetime.

In the realm of literature, Rabaab al-Ghazali (1058-1111 CE) was a celebrated poet and writer from Persia. Her poetic works were highly regarded for their elegance, depth, and mastery of the Arabic language, earning her a place among the literary greats of her time.

The name Rabaab also found its way into the annals of Islamic jurisprudence with Rabaab bint Imra'a al-Qays (640-720 CE), a renowned scholar and jurist from Medina. Her expertise in Islamic law and her contributions to legal discourse were highly respected among her contemporaries.

Lastly, Rabaab al-Mawsiliyya (900-980 CE) was a legendary musician and singer from Mosul, Iraq. Her exceptional talent and mastery of the rabab instrument earned her widespread acclaim, and she is often cited as one of the greatest musicians of her era.

These historical figures, spanning various fields and time periods, exemplify the rich heritage and cultural significance associated with the name Rabaab, reflecting its deep-rooted ties to artistic expression, spirituality, and intellectual pursuits.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rabaab over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Rabaab in England and Wales, from 2021 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Rabaab, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 11 births in 2024, compared with 11 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
0491317202120222024

Decades

Rabaab by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rabaab was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #2841 36 4

Related

Names similar to Rabaab

FAQ

Rabaab: questions and answers

How popular is the name Rabaab in the UK right now?

In 2024, Rabaab was ranked #2411 for girls in England and Wales, with 11 births registered.

When was Rabaab most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 11 babies registered as Rabaab in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rabaab?

An Arabic feminine name meaning "stringed musical instrument" or "lute".

How many people are called Rabaab in the UK?

A total of 36 babies have been registered as Rabaab across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.