NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Rawa

A feminine Arabic name meaning "she who quenches thirst" or "brook".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Rawa is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Rawa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 7 births.

This profile covers 54 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2005 to 2024. 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 57% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 54 living people in the UK are called Rawa. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Rawa ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2018, when 7 boys were registered as Rawa.
  • About 54 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rawa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 94.7% of Rawa registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4270

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2018

7 births

Estimated living

54

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Rawa

In England and Wales birth records, Rawa has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 94.7% of registrations are for boys and 5.3% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

95% boys
Boys54 (94.7%)Girls3 (5.3%)

Rawa registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,270 in 2024
  • 4 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2018 (7 births)

Rawa registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,201 in 2007
  • 3 girls registered in 2007
  • Peak: 2007 (3 births)

Meaning

What does Rawa mean?

The name Rawa has its origins in the Sanskrit language, with roots tracing back to ancient India. It is believed to have emerged around the 5th century BCE, during the Vedic period. In Sanskrit, the word 'rawa' means 'sun' or 'sunshine,' evoking warmth, radiance, and vitality.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Rawa can be found in the Rig Veda, a sacred Hindu scripture composed between 1500 and 1000 BCE. In this ancient text, the name is used as a metaphor for the sun's life-giving energy and its importance in sustaining the natural world.

The name Rawa gained popularity among the Brahmin and Kshatriya castes of ancient India. It was often bestowed upon children born during auspicious solar events or festivals celebrating the sun's significance in Hindu mythology.

Historically, several notable figures have borne the name Rawa. One such individual was Rawa Maharaj (1828-1906), a renowned spiritual leader and philosopher from the Indian state of Rajasthan. He was widely respected for his teachings on self-realization and inner peace.

Another noteworthy person was Rawa Devi (1905-1988), a celebrated Indian classical dancer and choreographer. She was instrumental in reviving and preserving the ancient dance form of Kathak, and her contributions were recognized with numerous awards and honors during her lifetime.

In the realm of literature, Rawa Kapur (1912-1999) was a prominent Bengali writer and poet. Her works explored themes of love, social justice, and the human experience. She received the prestigious Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honor, in 1976.

Rawa Singh (1670-1718) was a revered Sikh warrior and military leader who played a crucial role in defending the Sikh faith against oppression during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His bravery and devotion made him a celebrated figure in Sikh history.

Lastly, Rawa Homi Bhabha (1909-1966) was an influential Indian nuclear physicist and a pioneering figure in the field of quantum theory. He played a pivotal role in establishing India's nuclear program and is widely regarded as the father of Indian nuclear research.

While the name Rawa has its roots in ancient India, it has transcended cultural boundaries and continues to be used across various regions and communities, carrying with it the essence of warmth, radiance, and the sun's life-sustaining power.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rawa over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Rawa in England and Wales, from 2005 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Rawa, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02468200520142024

Decades

Rawa by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rawa 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 #4040 12 3
2010s #3986 25 6
2000s #3562 17 4

Related

Names similar to Rawa

FAQ

Rawa: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Rawa was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Rawa most popular?

The peak year on record was 2018, with 7 babies registered as Rawa in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rawa?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "she who quenches thirst" or "brook".

How many people are called Rawa in the UK?

A total of 54 babies have been registered as Rawa across the 13 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.