NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Rahi

A masculine Arabic name meaning "traveler" or "wayfarer".

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.

Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 13 boys.

Rahi is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Rahi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4192, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 5 births.

This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2009 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 16 living people in the UK are called Rahi. 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

  • Rahi ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2010, when 5 girls were registered as Rahi.
  • Rahi is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rahi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 55.2% of Rahi registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4192

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

2010

5 births

Estimated living

16

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Rahi

In England and Wales birth records, Rahi has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 44.8% of registrations are for boys and 55.2% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

45% boys
55% girls
Boys13 (44.8%)Girls16 (55.2%)

Rahi registered for boys

  • Ranked #5,119 in 2024
  • 3 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2021 (4 births)

Rahi registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,192 in 2024
  • 5 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2010 (5 births)

Meaning

What does Rahi mean?

The name Rahi has its origins in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the Sanskrit language. It is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word "rahi," which means "traveler" or "wanderer." The name gained prominence during the ancient and medieval periods in India, and it is often associated with spiritual seekers and individuals who embarked on journeys of self-discovery.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rahi can be found in the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. In this epic, Rahi is mentioned as a sage who imparted wisdom and spiritual guidance to the Pandava brothers during their exile. This association with wisdom and spirituality has contributed to the name's enduring popularity in Hindu traditions.

In the 7th century CE, a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer named Rahi Aryabhata made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and astronomy. He is credited with introducing the concept of zero and the decimal system, as well as accurately calculating the Earth's circumference and the length of the solar year. His works had a profound impact on the development of science in India and beyond.

Another notable figure from history who bore the name Rahi was Rahi Baba, a 16th-century Sufi mystic and saint from present-day Pakistan. He was revered for his spiritual teachings and is remembered for his devotional poetry, which continues to inspire and guide seekers on the path of Sufism.

In the 19th century, Rahi was the name of a celebrated Urdu poet from the Indian subcontinent. His poetic works, known for their depth and contemplative nature, explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition. He was widely acclaimed for his mastery of the Urdu language and his ability to convey profound insights through his poetry.

While the name Rahi is more commonly found in the Indian subcontinent, it has also been embraced by individuals from other cultures and regions. For instance, Rahi Jaffer, a contemporary Canadian artist of Indian descent, has gained recognition for her thought-provoking installations and sculptures that explore themes of identity, migration, and cultural fusion.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rahi over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Rahi in England and Wales, from 2006 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 Rahi, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02468200620152024

Decades

Rahi by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rahi 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 #4192 5 1
2010s #4839 8 2
2000s #5556 3 1

Related

Names similar to Rahi

FAQ

Rahi: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Rahi was ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Rahi most popular?

The peak year on record was 2010, with 5 babies registered as Rahi in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rahi?

A masculine Arabic name meaning "traveler" or "wayfarer".

How many people are called Rahi in the UK?

A total of 16 babies have been registered as Rahi 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.