NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Rayyaan

A masculine Muslim name of Arabic origin meaning "gatekeeper" or "shepherd".

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.

Rayyaan is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Rayyaan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2671, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2015, with 17 births.

This profile covers 259 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 2001 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 47% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 257 living people in the UK are called Rayyaan. 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

  • Rayyaan ranked #2671 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2015, when 17 boys were registered as Rayyaan.
  • About 257 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rayyaan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 98.9% of Rayyaan registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2671

2024

Births in 2024

8

Latest year

Peak year

2015

17 births

Estimated living

257

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Rayyaan

In England and Wales birth records, Rayyaan has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 98.9% of registrations are for boys and 1.1% 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.

99% boys
Boys259 (98.9%)Girls3 (1.1%)

Rayyaan registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,671 in 2024
  • 8 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2015 (17 births)

Rayyaan registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,876 in 2012
  • 3 girls registered in 2012
  • Peak: 2012 (3 births)

Meaning

What does Rayyaan mean?

The given name Rayyaan is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, with its roots traced back to the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. This name has a strong connection to the Arabic culture and Islamic traditions.

In Arabic, the name Rayyaan is derived from the word "rayyan," which means "garden" or "paradise." It is often associated with lush greenery, tranquility, and spiritual abundance. The name carries connotations of peace, serenity, and a connection to nature.

Historically, the name Rayyaan has been mentioned in various Islamic texts and literature. It can be found in certain Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) and Arabic poetry, where it is often used as a metaphor for the paradise promised to the righteous in the afterlife.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rayyaan dates back to the 7th century CE, when it was borne by Rayyaan ibn al-Salt, a renowned Arab poet and scholar from the Umayyad era. Another notable bearer of the name was Rayyaan al-Shammakh, a 9th-century Arab philosopher and mathematician from Baghdad.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Rayyaan:

1. Rayyaan al-Sulami (born c. 937 CE), a Sufi mystic and scholar from Nishapur, Iran, known for his contributions to Islamic spirituality. 2. Rayyaan al-Zaydani (born c. 1170 CE), an Arab poet and writer from Yemen, renowned for his works on love and mysticism. 3. Rayyaan al-Qalqashandi (1355-1418 CE), an Egyptian historian and author, best known for his comprehensive work on the administrative system of the Mamluk Sultanate. 4. Rayyaan al-Maliki (1525-1589 CE), a Moroccan Islamic scholar and jurist, famous for his commentaries on Islamic jurisprudence. 5. Rayyaan al-Baghdadi (1760-1836 CE), an Ottoman calligrapher and poet from Baghdad, celebrated for his mastery of the Arabic script and poetic compositions.

These individuals, spanning various centuries and regions, have contributed to the rich cultural and intellectual heritage associated with the name Rayyaan, cementing its place in history as a name with deep roots and profound symbolism.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rayyaan over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Rayyaan in England and Wales, from 2001 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 Rayyaan, the clearest high point is 2015. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 17 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
0491317200120122024

Decades

Rayyaan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rayyaan 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 #2331 48 5
2010s #1652 144 10
2000s #2018 67 7

Related

Names similar to Rayyaan

FAQ

Rayyaan: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Rayyaan was ranked #2671 for boys in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.

When was Rayyaan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2015, with 17 babies registered as Rayyaan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rayyaan?

A masculine Muslim name of Arabic origin meaning "gatekeeper" or "shepherd".

How many people are called Rayyaan in the UK?

A total of 259 babies have been registered as Rayyaan across the 22 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.