NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Raheema

A feminine Arabic given name meaning "compassionate" or "merciful".

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.

Raheema is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Raheema popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 16 births.

This profile covers 188 England and Wales registrations across 28 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 19% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 187 living people in the UK are called Raheema. 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

  • Raheema ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2001, when 16 girls were registered as Raheema.
  • About 187 living people in the UK are estimated to have Raheema as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2001

16 births

Estimated living

187

2026

Meaning

What does Raheema mean?

The name Raheema has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, originating from the word "rahima," which means "merciful" or "compassionate." This name is closely tied to the Islamic faith and values, reflecting the importance placed on compassion and kindness within the religion.

In the 7th century CE, during the advent of Islam, the name Raheema gained prominence as a name for girls born into Muslim families. Its connection to the concept of mercy and compassion made it a popular choice among believers, who saw these qualities as virtues to be instilled in their children.

The name Raheema has been mentioned in various Islamic texts and historical records, although its earliest documented instances are difficult to pinpoint with certainty. However, it is believed to have been in use since the early days of Islam, as the concept of mercy and compassion is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Raheema can be found in the works of renowned Islamic scholars and historians from the 9th and 10th centuries CE, such as Al-Tabari and Al-Masudi. These scholars often mentioned individuals bearing this name in their writings, indicating its widespread use at the time.

Throughout history, several notable women have carried the name Raheema. One such figure is Raheema Bint Musa Al-Baghdadi (born around 972 CE), a renowned scholar and mathematician who made significant contributions to the fields of algebra and geometry during the Golden Age of Islamic civilization.

Another prominent figure is Raheema Al-Basri (born in 714 CE), a renowned Sufi mystic and scholar from Basra, Iraq, known for her deep spiritual insights and teachings on the path to inner peace and enlightenment.

In more recent times, Raheema Mahmood (1951-2014) was a Pakistani singer and musician who played a significant role in preserving and promoting the traditional music of the Subcontinent. Her contributions to the art world earned her numerous accolades and recognition.

Raheema Noor (born in 1968) is a Bangladeshi writer and activist who has dedicated her life to advocating for women's rights and addressing social issues through her literary works and activism.

Raheema Ali (born in 1980) is a British-Pakistani journalist and author known for her insightful reporting on social and cultural issues, particularly those pertaining to the experiences of Muslim women in the West.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Raheema over time

The chart below shows babies named Raheema 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 Raheema, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 16 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Raheema
0481216199620102024

Decades

Raheema by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Raheema 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 #5403 13 4
2010s #3607 69 10
2000s #2650 82 10
1990s #2421 24 4

Related

Names similar to Raheema

FAQ

Raheema: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Raheema was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Raheema most popular?

The peak year on record was 2001, with 16 babies registered as Raheema in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Raheema?

A feminine Arabic given name meaning "compassionate" or "merciful".

How many people are called Raheema in the UK?

A total of 188 babies have been registered as Raheema across the 28 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.