NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Rashan

An Arabic name meaning "truthful" or "sincere, well-mannered".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2004. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Rashan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rashan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2004 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3009, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 6 births.

This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1996 to 2004. 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 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Rashan. 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 2005 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Rashan ranked #3009 for boys in England and Wales in 2004, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 6 boys were registered as Rashan.
  • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rashan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3009

2004

Births in 2004

4

Latest year

Peak year

1997

6 births

Estimated living

17

2026

Meaning

What does Rashan mean?

The name Rashan has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, where it is believed to have emerged during the medieval period. It is derived from the Arabic word "rashad," which means "guidance" or "righteousness." The name carries connotations of being on the right path and following moral principles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rashan can be found in historical texts from the 9th century, where it was mentioned in connection with a renowned Islamic scholar and theologian from Basra, Iraq. This scholar, known as Rashan al-Basri, was highly respected for his contributions to the study of Islamic jurisprudence and his teachings on ethical conduct.

In the 11th century, the name gained further prominence when it was associated with Rashan al-Dimashqi, a celebrated poet and literary figure from Damascus, Syria. His works, which focused on themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition, were widely acclaimed and have been preserved to this day.

Moving forward in history, the name Rashan appears in various accounts and records from different regions of the Islamic world. One notable figure was Rashan al-Andalusi, a mathematician and astronomer from medieval Andalusia (present-day Spain) in the 12th century. His contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in the realm of trigonometry, were highly influential and paved the way for future advancements.

In the 14th century, the name was associated with Rashan al-Misri, a renowned Sufi mystic and spiritual leader from Egypt. His teachings on inner purification and the attainment of divine knowledge attracted many followers, and his legacy continues to inspire seekers of spiritual enlightenment.

Another prominent individual bearing the name Rashan was a 16th-century Ottoman calligrapher and artist known as Rashan Effendi. His mastery of the art of calligraphy and his exquisite works adorning various mosques and palaces throughout the Ottoman Empire have been celebrated as cultural treasures.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who carried the name Rashan. While the name may have evolved in its spelling and pronunciation across different regions and time periods, its underlying meaning and significance have remained rooted in the concepts of guidance, righteousness, and spiritual enlightenment.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rashan over time

The chart below shows babies named Rashan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2004. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Rashan, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2004, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Rashan
02356199620002004

Decades

Rashan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rashan 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 #2755 8 2
1990s #2312 9 2

Related

Names similar to Rashan

FAQ

Rashan: questions and answers

How popular is the name Rashan in the UK right now?

In 2004, Rashan was ranked #3009 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Rashan most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 6 babies registered as Rashan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rashan?

An Arabic name meaning "truthful" or "sincere, well-mannered".

How many people are called Rashan in the UK?

A total of 17 babies have been registered as Rashan 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.