UK boy's name
Rajab
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "to respect" or "revered".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rajab is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rajab popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4702, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 7 births.
This profile covers 51 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1998 to 2019. 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 51 living people in the UK are called Rajab. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rajab ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 7 boys were registered as Rajab.
- • About 51 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rajab as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4702
2019
Births in 2019
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
7 births
Estimated living
51
2026
Meaning
What does Rajab mean?
The name Rajab finds its origins in the Arabic language and culture, dating back to pre-Islamic times. It is derived from the Arabic root word "rajaba," which means "to revere" or "to respect." The name is closely associated with the seventh month of the Islamic calendar, which is also called Rajab.
In pre-Islamic Arabia, the month of Rajab was considered a sacred time during which warfare and bloodshed were prohibited. This tradition was later adopted and reinforced in Islamic teachings, making Rajab one of the most revered months in the Islamic calendar.
The name Rajab is mentioned in several historical texts and religious scriptures, including the Quran and the Hadith (the collected sayings and practices of Prophet Muhammad). In the Quran, the month of Rajab is referred to as one of the four sacred months, along with Muharram, Dhu al-Qadah, and Dhu al-Hijjah.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Rajab can be found in the historical records of the Umayyad Caliphate, which ruled from 661 to 750 CE. Rajab ibn Uthman (d. 695 CE) was a prominent military commander who served under the Umayyad caliph Mu'awiya I.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Rajab. One of the most famous was Rajab Ali Beg (1493-1556), a Persian painter and calligrapher who served under the Safavid dynasty in Iran. His works are renowned for their intricate details and vibrant colors, and they can be found in museums around the world.
Another notable figure was Rajab Ali Khan (1657-1718), a Mughal military leader and governor of the Deccan region in India. He was known for his military campaigns against the Marathas and his efforts to strengthen Mughal rule in the region.
In the 19th century, Rajab Ali Qajar (1807-1849) was a prominent Iranian politician and military leader who served as the Prime Minister of Persia (modern-day Iran) from 1835 to 1848. He played a significant role in modernizing the Iranian army and implementing administrative reforms.
Rajab Ali Lahiri (1842-1907) was an Indian philosopher and educator who founded the Bramho Samaj, a socio-religious movement that aimed to reform Hinduism and promote monotheism. He was a strong advocate for women's education and social reforms.
Rajab Ali Koya (1892-1951) was an Indian Muslim scholar and historian from Kerala. He made significant contributions to the study of Islamic history and literature, and his works are widely regarded as important resources for understanding the cultural heritage of the region.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rajab over time
The chart below shows babies named Rajab registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rajab, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rajab by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rajab 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3661 | 23 | 5 |
| 2000s | #3379 | 25 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2901 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Rajab
- 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
Rajab: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rajab in the UK right now?
In 2019, Rajab was ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rajab most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 7 babies registered as Rajab in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rajab?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "to respect" or "revered".
How many people are called Rajab in the UK?
A total of 51 babies have been registered as Rajab across the 12 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.