UK boy's name
Rafiq
A masculine Arabic name meaning companion, friend or close associate.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rafiq is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rafiq popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 8 births.
This profile covers 75 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 1996 to 2022. 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 74 living people in the UK are called Rafiq. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rafiq ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 8 boys were registered as Rafiq.
- • About 74 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rafiq as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2022
Births in 2022
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
8 births
Estimated living
74
2026
Meaning
What does Rafiq mean?
The name Rafiq has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, originating from the word "rafiq" which means "companion" or "friend." This name has been in use since ancient times in the Middle East and North Africa.
In Arabic literature and poetry, the word "rafiq" is often used to describe a close and trusted friend or a loyal companion. The name Rafiq carries a sense of camaraderie and companionship, making it a popular choice for parents in the Arab world.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rafiq can be found in the Quran, the central religious text of Islam. In the Quran, the word "rafiq" is used to describe the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, highlighting the importance of friendship and loyalty in Islamic teachings.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Rafiq. One of the most famous was Rafiq al-Hariri (1944-2005), a Lebanese businessman and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Lebanon from 1992 to 1998 and again from 2000 until his assassination in 2005.
Another prominent figure was Rafiq Zakaria (1920-1988), an Indian Islamic scholar and writer who made significant contributions to the study of Islamic philosophy and literature. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, for his literary and academic achievements.
In the realm of sports, Rafiq Fateh Ali Khan (1937-1988) was a renowned Pakistani cricketer who played for the national team in the 1950s and 1960s. He was known for his exceptional batting skills and is remembered as one of the finest cricketers of his era.
The name Rafiq has also been associated with artistic and cultural figures. Rafiq Ghassemi (1963-2021) was an Iranian painter and calligrapher who gained international recognition for his unique blend of traditional and modern styles in his artworks.
Additionally, Rafiq Ismail (1930-2011) was an Egyptian actor and comedian who entertained audiences with his comedic performances in numerous films and television shows, becoming a beloved figure in the Arab entertainment industry.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the name Rafiq throughout history, each contributing to their respective fields and leaving a lasting impact on their communities and cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rafiq over time
The chart below shows babies named Rafiq registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rafiq, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rafiq by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rafiq 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 | #3875 | 9 | 2 |
| 2010s | #3526 | 30 | 6 |
| 2000s | #3400 | 22 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2261 | 14 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Rafiq
- 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
Rafiq: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rafiq in the UK right now?
In 2022, Rafiq was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rafiq most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 8 babies registered as Rafiq in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rafiq?
A masculine Arabic name meaning companion, friend or close associate.
How many people are called Rafiq in the UK?
A total of 75 babies have been registered as Rafiq across the 17 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.