UK boy's name
Rahim
Merciful and compassionate one derived from Arabic.
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.
Rahim is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rahim popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1595, with 16 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 37 births.
This profile covers 721 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 718 living people in the UK are called Rahim. 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
- • Rahim ranked #1595 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 16 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 37 boys were registered as Rahim.
- • Rahim ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #703 in 2022.
- • About 718 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rahim as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1595
2024
Births in 2024
16
Latest year
Peak year
2004
37 births
Estimated living
718
2026
Meaning
What does Rahim mean?
The name Rahim originated from the Arabic language and has its roots traced back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "rahm," which means "mercy" or "compassion." The name is often associated with the attributes of kindness, gentleness, and benevolence.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rahim can be found in Islamic religious texts, where it is mentioned as one of the attributes of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate. In the Quran, the phrase "Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim" (The Most Merciful, The Most Compassionate) appears frequently, emphasizing the importance of these qualities in Islamic teachings.
Throughout history, the name Rahim has been borne by several notable figures. One of the earliest known personalities with this name was Rahim Khan, a powerful military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. He played a crucial role in the conquest of Gujarat and the establishment of Mughal rule in the region.
Another prominent figure was Rahim Bakhsh Sani, a renowned Sufi saint and poet who lived in the 17th century. He was a prominent figure in the Chishti order of Sufism and is revered for his contributions to Persian and Punjabi literature. His poetic works, particularly his collection of poems called "Nadir Nama," are widely celebrated.
In the 18th century, Rahim Khan Khatak was a prominent Pashtun chieftain and military leader who played a significant role in the resistance against the Durrani Empire in present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. His bravery and leadership skills earned him a reputation as a formidable warrior.
Moving to the 20th century, Rahim Burhanuddin was an influential Indonesian religious leader and scholar. He was the chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council and played a pivotal role in shaping Islamic thought and practices in the country. His efforts in promoting moderation and tolerance within the Muslim community were widely recognized.
Another notable figure with the name Rahim was Rahim Dil, a renowned Afghan poet and writer of the 20th century. He was known for his eloquent poetry, which often reflected the struggles and aspirations of the Afghan people. His works have had a profound impact on Afghan literature and culture.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have borne the name Rahim throughout history, each leaving a lasting legacy in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human civilization.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rahim over time
The chart below shows babies named Rahim 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 Rahim, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 16 births in 2024, compared with 37 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rahim by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rahim 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 | #1237 | 113 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1225 | 221 | 10 |
| 2000s | #810 | 285 | 10 |
| 1990s | #691 | 102 | 4 |
Geography
Where Rahim is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Rahim. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Rahim ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #703 in 2022.
Across the UK
Rahim in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#703 in 2022
1 years of NRS records, 3 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Rahim
-
Rahim Karim
cricketer
Football player (born 1978)
1978-
-
Rahim Aga Khan
imam; entrepreneur
50th Imam of the Nizari Isma'ili community (born 1971)
1971-
-
Rahim Hirji
writer; businessperson; orator; public speaking
British author, keynote speaker, and advisor on human capability and artificial intelligence
Related
Names similar to Rahim
- 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
Rahim: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rahim in the UK right now?
In 2024, Rahim was ranked #1595 for boys in England and Wales, with 16 births registered.
When was Rahim most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 37 babies registered as Rahim in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rahim?
Merciful and compassionate one derived from Arabic.
How many people are called Rahim in the UK?
A total of 721 babies have been registered as Rahim across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 3 more in Scotland.
Where is Rahim most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Rahim ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #703 in 2022. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.