NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Rahima

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "merciful" or "compassionate".

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.

Rahima is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Rahima 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 1997, with 30 births.

This profile covers 471 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 17% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 468 living people in the UK are called Rahima. 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

  • Rahima ranked #4192 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 30 girls were registered as Rahima.
  • About 468 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rahima as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4192

2024

Births in 2024

5

Latest year

Peak year

1997

30 births

Estimated living

468

2026

Meaning

What does Rahima mean?

The name Rahima is of Arabic origin and is derived from the word "rahm," which means "womb" or "mercy." It is a feminine name that carries the meaning of "merciful" or "compassionate." The name has been in use since ancient times and is mentioned in various historical texts and religious scriptures.

The earliest recorded use of the name Rahima can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the early Islamic period. It is believed that the name was given to women who embodied the virtues of compassion and kindness.

In Islamic tradition, Rahima is often associated with the concept of divine mercy and is considered a beautiful and virtuous name for a woman. The name is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as one of the attributes of Allah (God).

Throughout history, there have been several notable women who bore the name Rahima. One of the earliest recorded examples is Rahima Bint Abi Darda, who lived during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and was known for her piety and devotion to Islam.

Another famous Rahima was Rahima Gul, a renowned Afghan poet and writer from the 19th century. She was known for her powerful and insightful poetry, which often explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition.

In the realm of literature, Rahima Sultan Begum was an influential writer and social reformer from the 19th century British India. She was a pioneer in advocating for women's rights and education and is remembered for her contributions to the literary and social landscape of the time.

Moving to more recent times, Rahima Moosa was a South African activist and politician who played a significant role in the anti-apartheid movement. She was a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and dedicated her life to fighting for racial equality and justice.

Another notable figure is Rahima Abdulali, an Indian journalist and human rights activist who has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about sexual violence and gender-based discrimination.

These are just a few examples of the many remarkable women throughout history who have carried the name Rahima. The name continues to be popular in various parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia, and is often chosen for its beautiful meaning and rich cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rahima over time

The chart below shows babies named Rahima 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 Rahima, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 30 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Rahima
08152330199620102024

Decades

Rahima by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rahima 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 #3803 28 5
2010s #2214 124 9
2000s #1158 231 10
1990s #1037 88 4

Related

Names similar to Rahima

FAQ

Rahima: questions and answers

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

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

When was Rahima most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 30 babies registered as Rahima in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rahima?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "merciful" or "compassionate".

How many people are called Rahima in the UK?

A total of 471 babies have been registered as Rahima 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.