UK girl's name
Rasheda
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "rightly guided" or "mature".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rasheda is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Rasheda popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5691, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1996 to 2014. 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 9 living people in the UK are called Rasheda. 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 2015 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rasheda ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 3 girls were registered as Rasheda.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rasheda as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5691
2014
Births in 2014
3
Latest year
Peak year
1996
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Meaning
What does Rasheda mean?
The name Rasheda has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "rashid," which means "rightly guided" or "following the right path." This name is deeply rooted in Islamic religious and cultural traditions.
Rasheda gained prominence during the early years of Islam, around the 7th century CE. It was often given to children as a wish for them to be guided by the teachings of Islam and to lead a righteous life. The name is mentioned in several religious texts and historical records from the Middle East and North Africa regions.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rasheda can be found in the writings of the renowned Islamic scholar and historian, Al-Tabari (838-923 CE). He documented the life of a woman named Rasheda bint Abi Bakr, who was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and a respected figure in early Islamic history.
Throughout the centuries, the name Rasheda has been carried by notable figures across various fields. One such individual was Rasheda Begum (1592-1623 CE), a Mughal princess and the daughter of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her contributions to the cultural heritage of the Mughal Empire.
In more recent times, Rasheda Khan (1928-2015) was a prominent Bangladeshi writer and activist. She played a significant role in the Bengali language movement and the struggle for Bangladesh's independence. Her literary works, including novels and short stories, explored social and political issues and earned her numerous accolades.
Another notable figure with the name Rasheda was Rasheda Ali (1949-2017), an American writer, and activist. She was the daughter of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and worked tirelessly to promote social justice and civil rights causes throughout her life.
Rasheda Huq (born 1965) is a British politician and member of the Labour Party. She has served as a Member of Parliament for Ealing Central and Acton since 2015 and has been a vocal advocate for various social and environmental issues.
The name Rasheda has transcended geographical boundaries and has been embraced by diverse cultures and communities around the world. While its origins can be traced back to the Arabic language, it has become a part of the global tapestry of names, carrying with it the essence of guidance and righteousness.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rasheda over time
The chart below shows babies named Rasheda registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rasheda, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rasheda by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rasheda 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 | #5691 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #3822 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Rasheda
- 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
Rasheda: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rasheda in the UK right now?
In 2014, Rasheda was ranked #5691 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rasheda most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 3 babies registered as Rasheda in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rasheda?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "rightly guided" or "mature".
How many people are called Rasheda in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Rasheda across the 3 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.