UK girl's name
Raisah
Of Arabic origin, meaning "one who leads" or "commander".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Raisah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Raisah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5581, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 6 births.
This profile covers 43 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1997 to 2021. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 43 living people in the UK are called Raisah. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Raisah ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 6 girls were registered as Raisah.
- • About 43 living people in the UK are estimated to have Raisah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5581
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
6 births
Estimated living
43
2026
Meaning
What does Raisah mean?
The name Raisah has its origins in the Arabic language. It is a feminine given name that derives from the Arabic word "ra'is," meaning "leader" or "chief." The name is believed to have emerged in the Middle Ages when Arabic was the dominant language in parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and the Iberian Peninsula.
The earliest recorded use of the name Raisah can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in Islamic historical records and manuscripts. During this time, the name was often given to girls born into influential families or those with leadership qualities.
One of the earliest notable figures to bear the name Raisah was Raisah bint Al-Husayn (1154-1232), a renowned Islamic scholar and poet who lived in Andalusia, present-day Spain. She was celebrated for her contributions to Arabic literature and her expertise in various fields, including Islamic jurisprudence and theology.
Another historical figure with the name Raisah was Raisah Al-Mudhaffariyah (1236-1285), a prominent Sufi mystic and spiritual leader from Persia (modern-day Iran). She was known for her profound teachings and her impact on the development of Sufism in the region.
In the 14th century, Raisah Al-Isfahani (1312-1376) was a prominent Persian calligrapher and artist. Her intricate calligraphic works were highly regarded and are still studied and admired by calligraphers today.
Moving to the 16th century, Raisah Al-Qadiriyah (1510-1572) was a Moroccan scholar and jurist who made significant contributions to Islamic law and jurisprudence. She was widely respected for her knowledge and expertise in various fields, including hadith (prophetic traditions) and Quranic exegesis.
In more recent history, Raisah Al-Husseini (1889-1963) was a prominent Palestinian political activist and feminist. She played a crucial role in the struggle for Palestinian independence and was a vocal advocate for women's rights and education.
While the name Raisah has Arabic roots, it has been adopted and used in various cultures and regions over the centuries. Its meaning and association with leadership and influence have made it a popular choice for parents seeking a name with a strong and empowering connotation.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Raisah over time
The chart below shows babies named Raisah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Raisah, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Raisah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Raisah 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 | #5581 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4212 | 29 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2591 | 11 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Raisah
- 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
Raisah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Raisah in the UK right now?
In 2021, Raisah was ranked #5581 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Raisah most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 6 babies registered as Raisah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Raisah?
Of Arabic origin, meaning "one who leads" or "commander".
How many people are called Raisah in the UK?
A total of 43 babies have been registered as Raisah across the 11 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.