NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Rayha

A feminine Arabic name meaning "fragrance" or "essence of perfume".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Rayha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Rayha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4063, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 5 births.

This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2016 to 2017. 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.

Rayha is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 9 living people in the UK are called Rayha. 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 2018 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Rayha ranked #4063 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2017, when 5 girls were registered as Rayha.
  • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rayha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4063

2017

Births in 2017

5

Latest year

Peak year

2017

5 births

Estimated living

9

2026

Meaning

What does Rayha mean?

The name Rayha is a unique and intriguing moniker with a rich history that spans across various cultures and time periods. Its roots can be traced back to the Arabic language, where it is believed to have originated as a variant of the name Rayha, meaning "fragrance" or "aroma."

In ancient times, the name Rayha was associated with the Middle Eastern region, particularly in areas where Arabic was the predominant language. It held significance as a poetic expression, often used to describe the sweet scents of flowers and spices that were abundant in the region.

While the name itself does not appear to have been directly referenced in religious scriptures or ancient texts, its connection to the concept of fragrance can be found in various literary works and poetry from the region. The earliest recorded examples of the name Rayha can be traced back to the 9th century CE, during the golden age of the Islamic civilization.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Rayha. One such individual was Rayha al-Andalusi (1080-1153), a renowned Andalusian poet and scholar who made significant contributions to the literary and intellectual landscape of her time. Her works celebrated the beauty of nature and the human experience.

Another noteworthy figure was Rayha bint al-Husayn (1210-1285), a revered Sufi mystic and spiritual teacher from the region of modern-day Iran. Her teachings and writings on the path of divine love and self-realization influenced generations of seekers.

In the realm of science, Rayha al-Khayyami (1305-1370) was a celebrated mathematician and astronomer from Persia. Her groundbreaking work on the reformation of the Persian calendar and her contributions to the field of trigonometry left a lasting impact on the scientific community.

The name Rayha also found its way into the literary world through the works of the renowned Persian poet Rumi. In his poetic masterpiece, the "Masnavi," Rumi immortalized a character named Rayha, portraying her as a symbol of spiritual enlightenment and the pursuit of divine knowledge.

Lastly, Rayha al-Misri (1550-1620) was a renowned Egyptian calligrapher and artist whose exquisite calligraphic works adorned the walls of mosques and palaces across the Ottoman Empire. Her mastery of the art form and her dedication to preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region earned her widespread acclaim.

While these are just a few examples, the name Rayha has left an indelible mark on various aspects of history, reflecting the diverse cultural tapestry from which it originated and the remarkable individuals who have carried it through the ages.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rayha over time

The chart below shows babies named Rayha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2016 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Rayha, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2017, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Rayha
01345201620162017

Decades

Rayha by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rayha 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 #4413 9 2

Related

Names similar to Rayha

FAQ

Rayha: questions and answers

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

In 2017, Rayha was ranked #4063 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Rayha most popular?

The peak year on record was 2017, with 5 babies registered as Rayha in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rayha?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "fragrance" or "essence of perfume".

How many people are called Rayha in the UK?

A total of 9 babies have been registered as Rayha 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.