UK boy's name
Ras
An Arabic name meaning "leader" or "chief".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ras is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Ras popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4805, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2008 to 2012. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Ras. 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 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ras ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 3 boys were registered as Ras.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ras as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4805
2012
Births in 2012
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Ras mean?
The name Ras is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, which was prominent in ancient India. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "rasa," which means "taste," "essence," or "juice." The name has been in use for centuries and holds significant cultural and historical significance.
In Hindu mythology, Rasa is a concept that represents the essence or the essence of any experience, emotion, or artistic expression. It is often associated with the concept of aesthetic delight or the pleasure derived from various art forms, such as dance, music, and poetry. The name Ras may have been given to individuals to symbolize their connection to the divine essence or their appreciation for the finer things in life.
The earliest recorded use of the name Ras can be traced back to ancient Indian texts and scriptures. One notable reference is found in the Natya Shastra, an ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts, which discusses the concept of Rasa in great detail. This text, believed to have been composed between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE, played a significant role in the development of Indian aesthetic theory and the appreciation of the arts.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ras. One of the earliest recorded figures was Ras Khan, a prominent military commander who served under the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. He was known for his bravery and military strategies, and played a crucial role in the expansion of the Mughal Empire.
Another historical figure with the name Ras was Ras Bihari Ghosh, an Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a prominent member of the Anushilan Samiti, a revolutionary organization that fought against British colonial rule in India. Ghosh was known for his unwavering commitment to the cause of Indian independence and his willingness to make sacrifices for the nation.
In the realm of literature, Ras Malook Qadri was a renowned Sufi poet and scholar from present-day Pakistan who lived in the 18th century. His magnum opus, the epic poem "Tuhfat-ul-Millat," is considered a masterpiece of Punjabi literature and has been widely studied and celebrated for its spiritual and literary merits.
Ras Huvanew Ramtoree was a prominent Mauritian poet and writer from the 19th century. He played a significant role in promoting the Creole language and culture in Mauritius and is regarded as one of the pioneers of Mauritian literature. His works, which often explored themes of identity, culture, and social issues, have left a lasting impact on the island nation's literary landscape.
Finally, Ras Tafari Makonnen, also known as Haile Selassie I, was the last Emperor of Ethiopia who reigned from 1930 to 1974. He was a revered figure in the Rastafarian movement, which emerged in Jamaica in the 1930s and viewed him as a messianic figure. Ras Tafari's name and legacy have become intrinsically linked with the Rastafarian culture and its emphasis on the spiritual and cultural connections between Africa and the Caribbean.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ras over time
The chart below shows babies named Ras registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ras, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ras by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ras 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 | #4805 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4432 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ras
- 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
Ras: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ras in the UK right now?
In 2012, Ras was ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ras most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 3 babies registered as Ras in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ras?
An Arabic name meaning "leader" or "chief".
How many people are called Ras in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Ras across the 2 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.