UK girl's name
Rahila
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "traveler" or "wayfarer".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2005. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rahila is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Rahila popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2005 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4798, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 4 births.
This profile covers 20 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1996 to 2005. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 20 living people in the UK are called Rahila. 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 2006 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rahila ranked #4798 for girls in England and Wales in 2005, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 4 girls were registered as Rahila.
- • About 20 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rahila as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4798
2005
Births in 2005
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
4 births
Estimated living
20
2026
Meaning
What does Rahila mean?
The name Rahila originates from the Arabic language and culture, with its earliest recorded usage dating back to the 6th century CE. The name is derived from the Arabic word "rahil," which means "traveler" or "wanderer," reflecting a nomadic lifestyle and a sense of adventure.
In Islamic tradition, Rahila is mentioned as the name of one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad. This association with a prominent figure in Islamic history has contributed to the name's popularity among Muslims worldwide.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Rahila can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab poet and scholar Al-Farazdaq, who lived in the 7th century CE. He composed verses praising a woman named Rahila, further solidifying the name's presence in early Arabic literature.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rahila. One such figure was Rahila Thabit (1102-1163), a renowned Andalusian poet and scholar who made significant contributions to Arabic literature during the Golden Age of Islamic civilization in Spain.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Rahila Saeed (1813-1888), a Sudanese princess and activist who played a crucial role in the resistance against the Turkish-Egyptian occupation of Sudan in the 19th century. Her legacy as a fierce warrior and advocate for her people's rights has been widely celebrated.
In the realm of art and culture, the name Rahila is associated with the Egyptian actress and singer Rahila Labib (1923-2010), who achieved fame for her performances in numerous Arabic films and theatrical productions throughout the mid-20th century.
Rahila Shakoor (1908-1994) was a prominent Pakistani educator and social reformer who dedicated her life to advancing women's education and empowerment in her country. Her contributions to establishing educational institutions and promoting gender equality have left a lasting impact.
Additionally, Rahila Gupta (born 1956) is a British writer, journalist, and activist of Indian descent, known for her work on issues related to race, gender, and human rights. Her writings and advocacy have brought attention to important social and political matters on a global scale.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rahila over time
The chart below shows babies named Rahila registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2005. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rahila, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2005, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rahila by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rahila 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4176 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #3617 | 10 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Rahila
- Ruby 60,551
- Rebecca 45,764
- Rosie 35,558
- Rachel 19,034
- Rose 18,043
- Robyn 14,556
- Rosa 6,236
- Rhiannon 6,180
- Rachael 4,702
- Rebekah 4,395
- Rhianna 4,177
- Ruth 4,118
FAQ
Rahila: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rahila in the UK right now?
In 2005, Rahila was ranked #4798 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rahila most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 4 babies registered as Rahila in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rahila?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "traveler" or "wayfarer".
How many people are called Rahila in the UK?
A total of 20 babies have been registered as Rahila across the 6 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.