NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Raees

A masculine Muslim name of Arabic origin meaning "leader" or "boss".

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.

Raees is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Raees popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #826, with 39 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 59 births.

This profile covers 1,011 England and Wales registrations across 29 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 66% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 1,004 living people in the UK are called Raees. 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

  • Raees ranked #826 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 39 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2017, when 59 boys were registered as Raees.
  • About 1,004 living people in the UK are estimated to have Raees as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#826

2024

Births in 2024

39

Latest year

Peak year

2017

59 births

Estimated living

1,004

2026

Meaning

What does Raees mean?

The name Raees originated from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Islamic culture. It can be traced back to the medieval period, around the 7th century AD, when the Arabic language and Islamic civilization were spreading across the Middle East and North Africa.

The name Raees is derived from the Arabic word "ra'is," which means "chief," "leader," or "president." It was initially used as a title for individuals who held positions of authority or leadership within the Islamic world, such as governors, rulers, or commanders.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Raees can be found in the historical accounts of Islamic conquests and the establishment of Islamic dynasties. For instance, the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled from Baghdad between 750 and 1258 AD, had several prominent figures with the name Raees serving in various administrative and military roles.

Throughout history, the name Raees has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. One notable example is Raees Khan, a prominent Mughal court musician and composer who lived during the 17th century. His compositions and contributions to the development of Hindustani classical music have left a lasting impact on the cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent.

Another famous figure with the name Raees was Raees Ahmed Mir, a revered Urdu poet and writer from the 19th century. His poetic works, which often explored themes of love, spirituality, and social commentary, have earned him a place among the literary giants of the Urdu language.

In the realm of sports, Raees Mohammad Khan was a renowned Pakistani cricketer who played for the national team in the 1970s and 1980s. He was known for his exceptional batting skills and his contributions to Pakistan's cricketing success during that era.

The name Raees has also been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of education and academia. One such figure was Raees Akhtar, a Pakistani educationist and author who dedicated his life to promoting educational reforms and improving the quality of education in his country.

While the name Raees has its origins in the Arabic language and Islamic culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and has been adopted by various communities around the world. The name continues to carry the connotation of leadership, authority, and respect, making it a popular choice for parents seeking a meaningful and culturally rich name for their children.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Raees over time

The chart below shows babies named Raees 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 Raees, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 39 births in 2024, compared with 59 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Raees
015304459199620102024

Decades

Raees by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Raees 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 #842 194 5
2010s #830 401 10
2000s #716 352 10
1990s #957 64 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Raees

  • Raees Bangura-Williams

    association football player

    English association football player

    2004-

Related

Names similar to Raees

FAQ

Raees: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Raees was ranked #826 for boys in England and Wales, with 39 births registered.

When was Raees most popular?

The peak year on record was 2017, with 59 babies registered as Raees in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Raees?

A masculine Muslim name of Arabic origin meaning "leader" or "boss".

How many people are called Raees in the UK?

A total of 1,011 babies have been registered as Raees across the 29 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.