UK boy's name
Rafay
A masculine Arabic name meaning "the exalted one" or "friend".
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.
Rafay is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rafay popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1859, with 13 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 18 births.
This profile covers 236 England and Wales registrations across 24 recorded years from 1999 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 72% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 238 living people in the UK are called Rafay. 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
- • Rafay ranked #1859 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 13 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 18 boys were registered as Rafay.
- • Rafay ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #687 in 2013.
- • About 238 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rafay as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1859
2024
Births in 2024
13
Latest year
Peak year
2012
18 births
Estimated living
238
2026
Meaning
What does Rafay mean?
The name Rafay has its origins in the Arabic language. It is derived from the root word "rafa'a," which means "to raise" or "to elevate." The name gained prominence during the early Islamic era, particularly in regions where Arabic culture and language flourished.
Rafay is believed to have first appeared in ancient Arabic texts and manuscripts dating back to the 7th century AD. The name was often associated with individuals who possessed qualities of wisdom, leadership, and nobility. It was a popular choice among Arabs, particularly in regions like the Arabian Peninsula, Levant, and North Africa.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rafay can be found in the writings of renowned Arab scholars and poets from the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties. These historical figures played a significant role in preserving and promoting Arabic literature and culture during their respective eras.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rafay. One of the most prominent figures was Rafay ibn Hujair al-Kindi (801-866 AD), a renowned Arab mathematician and philosopher from Kufa, Iraq. He made significant contributions to the fields of algebra, geometry, and optics, and his works influenced the development of scientific thought in the Islamic world.
Another notable bearer of the name was Rafay ibn Uthman al-Muqri (1035-1108 AD), a celebrated scholar and reciter of the Quran from Seville, Spain. He was renowned for his expertise in Quranic studies and his melodious recitations, which earned him the title "al-Muqri" (the reciter).
In the 13th century, Rafay ibn al-Zayn al-Muqaddasi (1203-1288 AD) was a prominent Sufi scholar and poet from Damascus, Syria. His literary works, particularly his mystical poetry, had a profound influence on the spiritual and intellectual landscape of the region.
During the Ottoman era, Rafay Efendi (1623-1699 AD) was a renowned Ottoman calligrapher and poet. His calligraphic works, particularly in the Naskh and Thuluth styles, are considered masterpieces of Islamic calligraphy and are preserved in various museums and collections around the world.
In more recent times, Rafay Alam (1901-1972 AD) was a prominent Pakistani lawyer and politician who played a significant role in the country's independence movement. He served as the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan and was known for his dedication to democracy and human rights.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Rafay, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rafay over time
The chart below shows babies named Rafay registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 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 Rafay, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 13 births in 2024, compared with 18 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rafay by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rafay 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 | #2281 | 50 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1782 | 129 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2574 | 54 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2943 | 3 | 1 |
Geography
Where Rafay is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Rafay. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Rafay ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #687 in 2013.
Across the UK
Rafay in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#687 in 2013
1 years of NRS records, 3 total registered
Related
Names similar to Rafay
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Rafay: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rafay in the UK right now?
In 2024, Rafay was ranked #1859 for boys in England and Wales, with 13 births registered.
When was Rafay most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 18 babies registered as Rafay in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rafay?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "the exalted one" or "friend".
How many people are called Rafay in the UK?
A total of 236 babies have been registered as Rafay across the 24 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 3 more in Scotland.
Where is Rafay most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Rafay ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #687 in 2013. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.