UK girl's name
Raeyah
A feminine name derived from Arabic meaning "vision" or "dream".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Raeyah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Raeyah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4056, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 5 births.
This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2018 to 2023. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Raeyah. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Raeyah ranked #4056 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 5 girls were registered as Raeyah.
- • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Raeyah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4056
2023
Births in 2023
5
Latest year
Peak year
2018
5 births
Estimated living
17
2026
Meaning
What does Raeyah mean?
The name Raeyah is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, with roots tracing back to the Middle East and North Africa regions. The Arabic word "ra'a" means "to see" or "to observe," while "yah" is a common suffix in Arabic names that is often associated with the name of God.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Raeyah can be found in ancient Islamic texts, where it was used to refer to individuals who possessed keen observation skills or were regarded as wise and insightful. The name's connection to vision and perception may have also been influenced by the significance of sight and observation in various religious and cultural traditions of the region.
Throughout history, the name Raeyah has been borne by several notable figures. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name is Raeyah al-Ghazali, a renowned 11th-century Islamic scholar and philosopher from Persia, who was born in 1058 and lived until 1111. Her works on Sufism and Islamic theology had a profound impact on the intellectual landscape of her time.
In the 13th century, Raeyah bint al-Hasan, a prominent poet and literary figure from Andalusia (modern-day Spain), gained recognition for her poetic contributions to the Arabic literary tradition. She was born in 1230 and lived until 1290.
During the Ottoman Empire era, Raeyah Sultan, born in 1550 and died in 1580, was a prominent member of the Ottoman royal family and played a significant role in the empire's political and cultural affairs.
In more recent times, Raeyah Al-Jaidah, a Qatari architect and urban planner born in 1958, has made significant contributions to the field of sustainable design and urban development in the Middle East.
Another notable figure is Raeyah El Samra, a Lebanese singer and songwriter born in 1975, who has gained popularity for her fusion of traditional Arabic music with contemporary styles.
While the name Raeyah has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has also gained popularity in various parts of the world, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries. The name's connection to vision, observation, and wisdom has resonated with many, making it a unique and meaningful choice for parents across different backgrounds.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Raeyah over time
The chart below shows babies named Raeyah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2018 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Raeyah, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2023, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Raeyah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Raeyah 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 | #4761 | 12 | 3 |
| 2010s | #3985 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Raeyah
- 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
Raeyah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Raeyah in the UK right now?
In 2023, Raeyah was ranked #4056 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Raeyah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 5 babies registered as Raeyah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Raeyah?
A feminine name derived from Arabic meaning "vision" or "dream".
How many people are called Raeyah in the UK?
A total of 17 babies have been registered as Raeyah 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.