UK name, mostly boys
Rahil
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "traveler" or "wanderer".
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.
Rahil is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Rahil popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4107, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 14 births.
This profile covers 226 England and Wales registrations across 28 recorded years from 1996 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 29% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 224 living people in the UK are called Rahil. 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
- • Rahil ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 14 boys were registered as Rahil.
- • About 224 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rahil as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 90.0% of Rahil registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4107
2023
Births in 2023
4
Latest year
Peak year
2001
14 births
Estimated living
224
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Rahil
In England and Wales birth records, Rahil has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 90.0% of registrations are for boys and 10.0% 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.
Rahil registered for boys
- Ranked #4,107 in 2023
- 4 boys registered in 2023
- Peak: 2001 (14 births)
Rahil registered for girls
- Ranked #5,891 in 2024
- 3 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2023 (9 births)
Meaning
What does Rahil mean?
The name Rahil is derived from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Middle East. It is believed to have originated during the 7th century AD, around the time of the advent of Islam.
The name Rahil is thought to be a variant of the Arabic name Raheel, which means "traveler" or "one who journeys." It is a masculine name that has been used throughout the Arab world for centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rahil can be found in the historical accounts of the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled over vast territories in the Middle East and North Africa from the 8th to the 13th century. During this time, there are records of individuals bearing the name Rahil, although specific details about their lives are scarce.
In Islamic literature, the name Rahil is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran or other religious texts. However, the concept of travel and journeying is a recurring theme in Islamic teachings, which may have influenced the popularity of names related to these concepts.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Rahil. One of the most famous was Rahil Ghandi, an Indian independence activist and follower of Mahatma Gandhi. He was born in 1900 and played a significant role in the Indian independence movement, actively participating in non-violent protests against British rule.
Another prominent individual with the name Rahil was Rahil Siddiqi, a renowned Urdu poet from Pakistan. Born in 1906, Siddiqi was widely acclaimed for his literary contributions and was awarded the prestigious Pride of Performance award by the Pakistani government in 1989.
In the world of sports, Rahil Qazi was a Pakistani cricketer who played for the national team in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a skilled batsman and represented Pakistan in several Test matches and One Day International (ODI) games.
Rahil Mozaffarieh was an Iranian-German actor and director, born in 1975. He gained recognition for his roles in various films and television shows, including the acclaimed German crime series "Tatort."
Finally, Rahil Ganjoee was an Iranian poet and writer who lived during the 11th century AD. He is celebrated for his contributions to Persian literature and is considered one of the most influential poets of his time.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Rahil throughout history, showcasing its enduring presence across different cultures and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rahil over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Rahil in England and Wales, 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 Rahil, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 14 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rahil by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rahil 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 | #4374 | 14 | 4 |
| 2010s | #2585 | 82 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1819 | 97 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1505 | 33 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Rahil
- 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
Rahil: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rahil in the UK right now?
In 2023, Rahil was ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Rahil most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 14 babies registered as Rahil in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rahil?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "traveler" or "wanderer".
How many people are called Rahil in the UK?
A total of 226 babies have been registered as Rahil 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.