NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Rais

A masculine name of Arabic origin roughly translating to "leader" or "chief".

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.

Rais is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rais popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 11 births.

This profile covers 95 England and Wales registrations across 17 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 27% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 94 living people in the UK are called Rais. 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

  • Rais ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2010, when 11 boys were registered as Rais.
  • About 94 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rais as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4991

2023

Births in 2023

3

Latest year

Peak year

2010

11 births

Estimated living

94

2026

Meaning

What does Rais mean?

The name Rais has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Arabic word "ra'is," which means "leader" or "chief." This name was commonly given to those who held positions of authority or leadership within their communities.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rais can be found in the writings of the renowned Muslim philosopher and scholar, Al-Ghazali, who lived between 1058 and 1111 CE. He mentioned individuals with this name in his works, indicating its usage during that era.

In the 12th century, Rais Al-Din Sinan, also known as the "Old Man of the Mountain," was the leader of the Nizari Ismaili state in Persia. He gained notoriety for his strategic use of assassins and his influence over the region.

During the 13th century, a prominent figure named Rais Ibn Ammar served as the vizier (prime minister) of the Hafsid dynasty in Ifriqiya (present-day Tunisia and eastern Algeria). He was known for his diplomatic skills and his role in strengthening the Hafsid rule.

In the 15th century, Rais Ahmad al-Qurashi was a renowned navigator and explorer from Morocco. He is credited with leading several maritime expeditions along the West African coast, contributing to the early exploration and trade in the region.

Another notable individual bearing the name Rais was Rais Abdurahman, a 16th-century Ottoman admiral and cartographer. He was renowned for his naval expertise and his contributions to the development of maritime charts and navigation techniques.

These are just a few examples of individuals who carried the name Rais throughout history, reflecting its significance and association with leadership roles and influential figures within the Arabic and Islamic cultures.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rais over time

The chart below shows babies named Rais registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Rais, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 11 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Rais
036811199620092023

Decades

Rais by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rais 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 #4220 8 2
2010s #2842 21 3
2000s #2630 47 9
1990s #1887 19 3

Related

Names similar to Rais

FAQ

Rais: questions and answers

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

In 2023, Rais was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Rais most popular?

The peak year on record was 2010, with 11 babies registered as Rais in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rais?

A masculine name of Arabic origin roughly translating to "leader" or "chief".

How many people are called Rais in the UK?

A total of 95 babies have been registered as Rais across the 17 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.