UK girl's name
Rabiya
A feminine Arabic name derived from the root "rabi" meaning "spring".
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.
Rabiya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Rabiya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2771, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 13 births.
This profile covers 178 England and Wales registrations across 24 recorded years from 1996 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.
The latest count is about 69% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 177 living people in the UK are called Rabiya. 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
- • Rabiya ranked #2771 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 9 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 13 girls were registered as Rabiya.
- • About 177 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rabiya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2771
2024
Births in 2024
9
Latest year
Peak year
2009
13 births
Estimated living
177
2026
Meaning
What does Rabiya mean?
The name Rabiya originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Islamic culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "rabi'a," which means "spring" or "the fourth." The name is often associated with the concept of renewal, growth, and vitality, reflecting the freshness and beauty of the spring season.
In the early Islamic era, Rabiya al-Adawiyya (714-801 CE) was a renowned female Sufi mystic and saint from Basra, Iraq. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential and revered figures in the history of Sufism. Her teachings and poetry have left a lasting impact on Islamic spirituality and have inspired countless followers over the centuries.
Another notable figure bearing the name Rabiya was Rabiya Khatun (1262-1324 CE), a prominent female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate in India. She served as the regent for her son, Sultan Qutb-ud-din Mubarak Shah II, and played a crucial role in maintaining stability and governance during a turbulent period in the sultanate's history.
In the realm of literature, Rabiya Basri (717-801 CE) was a renowned poet and scholar from Basra, Iraq. Her poetic works, which often celebrated divine love and spiritual enlightenment, have been widely studied and admired throughout the Islamic world.
In the modern era, Rabiya Mahmood (1942-2014) was a prominent Pakistani human rights activist and social worker. She dedicated her life to promoting women's rights, education, and empowerment, and was recognized with numerous awards for her contributions, including the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz, one of Pakistan's highest civilian honors.
Another notable figure was Rabiya Mattu (1977-present), an Indian-American software engineer and entrepreneur. She co-founded the software company Piazza, which provides a platform for online collaboration and learning for students and educators. Her innovative work in educational technology has earned her recognition and awards from various organizations.
Throughout history, the name Rabiya has been associated with individuals who have made remarkable contributions in various fields, including spirituality, literature, governance, human rights, and technology. The name carries a rich heritage and cultural significance, reflecting the values of renewal, growth, and vitality that have inspired generations.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rabiya over time
The chart below shows babies named Rabiya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Rabiya, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2024, compared with 13 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rabiya by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rabiya 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 | #3768 | 18 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3183 | 72 | 9 |
| 2000s | #2662 | 64 | 9 |
| 1990s | #1988 | 24 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Rabiya
- Ruby 60,551
- Rebecca 45,764
- Rosie 35,558
- Rachel 19,034
- Rose 18,043
- Robyn 14,556
- Rosa 6,236
- Rhiannon 6,180
- Rachael 4,702
- Rebekah 4,395
- Rhianna 4,177
- Ruth 4,118
FAQ
Rabiya: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rabiya in the UK right now?
In 2024, Rabiya was ranked #2771 for girls in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.
When was Rabiya most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 13 babies registered as Rabiya in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rabiya?
A feminine Arabic name derived from the root "rabi" meaning "spring".
How many people are called Rabiya in the UK?
A total of 178 babies have been registered as Rabiya across the 24 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.