UK boy's name
Raqeeb
A masculine Arabic name meaning "watcher" or "guardian".
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.
Raqeeb is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Raqeeb popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 6 births.
This profile covers 68 England and Wales registrations across 17 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 67 living people in the UK are called Raqeeb. 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
- • Raqeeb ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 6 boys were registered as Raqeeb.
- • About 67 living people in the UK are estimated to have Raqeeb as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
1998
6 births
Estimated living
67
2026
Meaning
What does Raqeeb mean?
The name Raqeeb originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Middle Eastern and Islamic cultures. It is derived from the Arabic word "raqib," which means "watcher" or "guardian." This name carries a strong religious and cultural significance in the Islamic tradition.
The earliest recorded use of the name Raqeeb dates back to the 7th century AD, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the founding of Islam. The name is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, where it is used as one of the attributes of Allah, referring to Him as the "Ever-Watchful" or "The Guardian."
In Islamic tradition, the name Raqeeb is often associated with the concept of divine protection and guidance. It is believed that those who bear this name are under the watchful eye of God and are guided by His wisdom and mercy.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Raqeeb was Raqeeb ibn Saad, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad who lived in the 7th century AD. He was known for his bravery and loyalty to the Islamic cause.
Another notable figure with the name Raqeeb was Raqeeb al-Din al-Isfahani, a Persian scholar and poet who lived in the 13th century AD. He was renowned for his contributions to literature and Islamic philosophy.
In the 14th century, Raqeeb al-Din al-Samarqandi was a prominent mathematician and astronomer from Samarkand, modern-day Uzbekistan. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and was known for his work on the calculation of planetary positions.
During the Ottoman Empire, Raqeeb Pasha was a Grand Vizier who served under Sultan Murad IV in the 17th century. He played a crucial role in the administration and governance of the Ottoman Empire.
More recently, Raqeeb Shehab-ud-Din was a Pakistani author and journalist who lived from 1916 to 1986. He was known for his literary works and his advocacy for the rights of minorities in Pakistan.
Throughout history, the name Raqeeb has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, poets, mathematicians, and leaders. It continues to hold a significant place in the Islamic tradition and is often chosen by parents who wish to impart the values of watchfulness, protection, and divine guidance to their children.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Raqeeb over time
The chart below shows babies named Raqeeb 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 Raqeeb, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Raqeeb by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Raqeeb 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 | #4699 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | #3977 | 24 | 6 |
| 2000s | #3202 | 25 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2367 | 13 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Raqeeb
- 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
Raqeeb: questions and answers
How popular is the name Raqeeb in the UK right now?
In 2021, Raqeeb was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Raqeeb most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 6 babies registered as Raqeeb in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Raqeeb?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "watcher" or "guardian".
How many people are called Raqeeb in the UK?
A total of 68 babies have been registered as Raqeeb 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.