UK boy's name
Rakan
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "pillar" or "support".
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.
Rakan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rakan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2088, with 11 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 16 births.
This profile covers 148 England and Wales registrations across 20 recorded years from 2005 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 69% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 147 living people in the UK are called Rakan. 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
- • Rakan ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 11 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2022, when 16 boys were registered as Rakan.
- • About 147 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rakan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2088
2024
Births in 2024
11
Latest year
Peak year
2022
16 births
Estimated living
147
2026
Meaning
What does Rakan mean?
The name Rakan has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic root word "raka," which means "to run" or "to hasten." This name was initially associated with swiftness, agility, and a sense of urgency.
In Islamic tradition, the name Rakan finds its earliest reference in the Quran, where it is mentioned as one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad. Rakan ibn Rabi'ah was a prominent figure among the Ansar (the helpers of Medina) who pledged allegiance to the Prophet during the early days of Islam.
One of the earliest recorded instances of this name can be traced back to the 8th century CE, when Rakan ibn Zayd, a renowned Arab poet from the Umayyad period, gained recognition for his literary works. He was celebrated for his mastery of the Arabic language and his contribution to the development of poetic forms.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Rakan. In the 10th century CE, Rakan al-Mutiri was a celebrated Arab mathematician and astronomer known for his contributions to the field of trigonometry. His work played a significant role in advancing mathematical knowledge during the Islamic Golden Age.
In the 12th century CE, Rakan al-Din Siraj al-Mulk was a prominent Persian statesman and military leader who served under the Seljuk Empire. He was renowned for his strategic prowess and played a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of the empire's territories.
Another notable figure with the name Rakan was Rakan al-Din Mahmud, a 13th-century Persian architect and engineer. He is best known for his architectural masterpieces, including the renowned Jāmeh Mosque of Ardestan, which stands as a testament to his exceptional skill and innovative design principles.
In more recent times, Rakan al-Nasheet, born in 1981, is a prominent Saudi Arabian footballer who has represented his national team in several international tournaments. His exceptional talent and dedication have earned him widespread recognition in the world of sports.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rakan over time
The chart below shows babies named Rakan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 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 Rakan, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 11 births in 2024, compared with 16 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rakan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rakan 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 | #2251 | 55 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2716 | 74 | 10 |
| 2000s | #3656 | 19 | 5 |
Related
Names similar to Rakan
- 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
Rakan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rakan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Rakan was ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales, with 11 births registered.
When was Rakan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2022, with 16 babies registered as Rakan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rakan?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "pillar" or "support".
How many people are called Rakan in the UK?
A total of 148 babies have been registered as Rakan across the 20 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.