NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Rahman

A masculine Arabic name meaning "the most gracious one".

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.

Rahman is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rahman popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 16 births.

This profile covers 196 England and Wales registrations across 27 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 195 living people in the UK are called Rahman. 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

  • Rahman ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2011, when 16 boys were registered as Rahman.
  • About 195 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rahman as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3254

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2011

16 births

Estimated living

195

2026

Meaning

What does Rahman mean?

The name Rahman is derived from the Arabic word "Rahman" which means "the Most Merciful" or "the Most Gracious." It is one of the names attributed to God in Islam and is considered a beautiful and meaningful name.

The name has its roots in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, where it is mentioned numerous times as one of the attributes of God. It is believed to have been in use since the 7th century, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the early days of Islam.

Rahman is a name that has been popular among Muslims throughout history. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name is Rahman ibn Abi Layla, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist who lived in the 8th century.

Another notable figure with the name Rahman was Rahman al-Jami, a famous Persian poet and scholar who lived in the 15th century. His works, which include poetry, prose, and commentaries on Islamic texts, are highly regarded in the Persian literary tradition.

In the 19th century, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, a pioneering Muslim philosopher, educator, and social reformer, was also known by the name Rahman. He played a crucial role in the establishment of modern education in British India and advocated for the reconciliation of Islamic teachings with modern Western thought.

The name Rahman has also been borne by religious leaders and scholars throughout history. One such example is Muhammad Abdul Rahman, a prominent Islamic scholar and teacher who lived in the 20th century and made significant contributions to the study and understanding of the Quran.

Another notable figure with the name Rahman is Rahman Baba, a revered Pashtun poet and Sufi saint from the 17th century. His poetry, which often revolves around themes of love, spirituality, and mysticism, is widely celebrated in the Pashtun culture and has influenced generations of poets and writers.

The name Rahman has a rich history and has been carried by many influential figures throughout the ages. Its meaning and association with divine mercy and grace have made it a popular choice among Muslims, and it continues to be a respected and meaningful name in many parts of the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rahman over time

The chart below shows babies named Rahman 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 Rahman, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 16 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Rahman
0481216199620102024

Decades

Rahman by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rahman 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 #2722 41 5
2010s #2581 86 10
2000s #2582 61 10
1990s #2388 8 2

Related

Names similar to Rahman

FAQ

Rahman: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Rahman was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Rahman most popular?

The peak year on record was 2011, with 16 babies registered as Rahman in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rahman?

A masculine Arabic name meaning "the most gracious one".

How many people are called Rahman in the UK?

A total of 196 babies have been registered as Rahman across the 27 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.