UK name, mostly girls
Rawan
A feminine Arabic name meaning "flowing water" or "little stream".
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.
Rawan is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Rawan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2115, with 13 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2020, with 30 births.
This profile covers 338 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 342 living people in the UK are called Rawan. 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
- • Rawan ranked #2115 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 13 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2020, when 30 girls were registered as Rawan.
- • Rawan ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #792 in 2021.
- • About 342 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rawan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 96.8% of Rawan registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2115
2024
Births in 2024
13
Latest year
Peak year
2020
30 births
Estimated living
342
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Rawan
In England and Wales birth records, Rawan has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 3.2% of registrations are for boys and 96.8% 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.
Rawan registered for boys
- Ranked #4,270 in 2024
- 4 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2013 (4 births)
Rawan registered for girls
- Ranked #2,115 in 2024
- 13 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2020 (30 births)
Meaning
What does Rawan mean?
The name Rawan has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to ancient times. It is derived from the Arabic word "rawwan," which means "one who waters plants" or "a gardener." The name is closely associated with the concept of nurturing and growth, reflecting the importance of agriculture and nature in the region.
In classical Arabic literature, Rawan is mentioned as a name for both males and females. It appeared in several works of poetry and prose, often used as a metaphor for someone who brings life and sustenance to their surroundings. The name's connection to the natural world also resonated with the Islamic traditions that emphasize the beauty and significance of gardens and greenery.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rawan can be found in the 9th century CE, when a renowned Arab poet named Rawan ibn al-Qasim al-Amiri gained recognition for his poetic contributions. Born in 810 CE in Baghdad, he was celebrated for his mastery of the Arabic language and his ability to craft intricate verses.
Another notable figure bearing the name Rawan was Rawan al-Sukkari, a 10th-century CE scholar from Basra, in present-day Iraq. He made significant contributions to the field of Arabic grammar and linguistics, leaving behind invaluable works that influenced generations of scholars and linguists.
During the 11th century CE, Rawan ibn al-Husayn al-Qurashi, a respected Islamic jurist and scholar from Cordoba, Spain, gained prominence for his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and his influential writings on the subject.
In the 13th century CE, a Persian poet and mystic named Rawan al-Din Jami, born in Ghor (present-day Afghanistan), left a lasting impact on the literary and spiritual traditions of the region. His works, which included poetry and mystical treatises, remain widely celebrated and studied to this day.
Another notable figure was Rawan al-Saghir, a 14th-century CE female scholar from Damascus, Syria, who was renowned for her knowledge of Hadith (the recorded sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad) and her contributions to the field of Islamic studies.
Throughout history, the name Rawan has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including poets, scholars, jurists, and mystics. Its enduring presence reflects the rich cultural heritage and the deep-rooted appreciation for nature and wisdom in the regions where Arabic and Islamic traditions have flourished.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rawan over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Rawan in England and Wales, from 1996 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 Rawan, the clearest high point is 2020. The latest England and Wales figure is 13 births in 2024, compared with 30 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rawan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rawan 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 | #1995 | 78 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2283 | 131 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2074 | 112 | 10 |
| 1990s | #3105 | 17 | 4 |
Geography
Where Rawan is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Rawan. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Rawan ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #792 in 2021.
Across the UK
Rawan in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#792 in 2021
2 years of NRS records, 6 total registered
Related
Names similar to Rawan
- 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
Rawan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rawan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Rawan was ranked #2115 for girls in England and Wales, with 13 births registered.
When was Rawan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2020, with 30 babies registered as Rawan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rawan?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "flowing water" or "little stream".
How many people are called Rawan in the UK?
A total of 338 babies have been registered as Rawan across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 6 more in Scotland.
Where is Rawan most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Rawan ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #792 in 2021. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.