UK girl's name
Rakiya
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "a shooter, archer, or huntress".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2007. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rakiya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Rakiya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2007 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4294, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 4 births.
This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1997 to 2007. 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.
Rakiya is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Rakiya. 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 2008 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rakiya ranked #4294 for girls in England and Wales in 2007, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 4 girls were registered as Rakiya.
- • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rakiya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4294
2007
Births in 2007
4
Latest year
Peak year
2007
4 births
Estimated living
13
2026
Meaning
What does Rakiya mean?
The name Rakiya finds its origins in the Arabic language, emerging from the Middle Eastern region during the medieval period. It is derived from the Arabic root word "raqa," which means "to rise" or "to ascend." This linguistic connection suggests that the name Rakiya may have been associated with concepts of elevation, growth, or spiritual ascension.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Rakiya can be found in ancient Islamic texts and manuscripts dating back to the 7th century CE. It is believed to have been inspired by the Arabic word "al-raqia," which refers to the celestial vault or firmament in Islamic cosmology. This celestial connotation adds a layer of significance to the name, linking it to the heavens and the divine realm.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rakiya. One of the earliest recorded examples is Rakiya bint Abi Sufyan (born circa 630 CE), a prominent female figure in early Islamic history who was known for her wisdom and knowledge. Another prominent figure was Rakiya al-Andalusiyya (1031-1094 CE), a renowned Andalusian poet and scholar who contributed significantly to the literary and intellectual landscape of medieval Islamic Spain.
In the realm of religion, Rakiya al-Ghamrawi (1201-1263 CE) was a revered Sufi mystic and spiritual leader from Egypt who left a lasting impact on the Sufi tradition. Her teachings and writings continue to be studied and revered by Sufis to this day.
Moving forward in time, Rakiya Sultana (1528-1604 CE) was a powerful and influential figure in the Mughal Empire of India. She was the wife of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and played a crucial role in the administration and governance of the empire.
More recently, Rakiya Omaar (born 1959) is a renowned Somali-British human rights activist and journalist who has made significant contributions to raising awareness about humanitarian crises and advocating for human rights, particularly in the context of the Somali civil war.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the name Rakiya throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human civilization.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rakiya over time
The chart below shows babies named Rakiya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2007. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rakiya, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2007, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rakiya by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rakiya 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4563 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #3824 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Rakiya
- 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
Rakiya: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rakiya in the UK right now?
In 2007, Rakiya was ranked #4294 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Rakiya most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 4 babies registered as Rakiya in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rakiya?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "a shooter, archer, or huntress".
How many people are called Rakiya in the UK?
A total of 13 babies have been registered as Rakiya across the 4 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.