UK name, mostly boys
Rayyan
A masculine Arabic name meaning "to be satisfied" or "content".
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.
Rayyan is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Rayyan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #226, with 219 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 283 births.
This profile covers 4,165 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, 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 77% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 4,293 living people in the UK are called Rayyan. 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
- • Rayyan ranked #226 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 219 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 283 boys were registered as Rayyan.
- • Rayyan ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #398 in 2014.
- • About 4,293 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rayyan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 96.6% of Rayyan registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#226
2024
Births in 2024
219
Latest year
Peak year
2014
283 births
Estimated living
4,293
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Rayyan
In England and Wales birth records, Rayyan has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 96.6% of registrations are for boys and 3.4% 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.
Rayyan registered for boys
- Ranked #226 in 2024
- 219 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2014 (283 births)
Rayyan registered for girls
- Ranked #5,891 in 2024
- 3 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2014 (12 births)
Meaning
What does Rayyan mean?
Rayyan is a masculine given name of Arabic origin, derived from the Arabic root word "ra'a," meaning "to pasture" or "to graze." The name holds significance in Islamic culture and is often associated with concepts of prosperity, abundance, and spiritual nourishment.
The earliest recorded use of the name Rayyan can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the Islamic Golden Age. It was mentioned in various Arabic literary works and historical records, often referring to individuals who embodied qualities of generosity and benevolence.
One notable historical reference is found in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, where the word "rayyan" is used to describe the gardens of paradise, symbolizing eternal bliss and spiritual sustenance. This association has contributed to the name's popularity among Muslim communities worldwide.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Rayyan. One such individual was Rayyan al-Umawi (670-725 CE), a renowned Arab poet and scholar from the Umayyad dynasty, renowned for his mastery of Arabic literature and his expertise in various fields of knowledge.
Another prominent figure was Rayyan ibn al-Walid (688-765 CE), a military commander and governor during the Abbasid Caliphate, known for his strategic prowess and leadership in numerous military campaigns and conquests.
In the 12th century, Rayyan al-Baghdadi (1106-1185 CE) was a prominent Islamic scholar and philosopher, renowned for his contributions to the fields of logic, metaphysics, and epistemology. His works had a significant impact on the development of Islamic philosophy and intellectual discourse.
The 13th century witnessed the rise of Rayyan al-Hilli (1210-1287 CE), a renowned Islamic jurist and theologian from the city of Hillah in present-day Iraq. He was widely respected for his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and his influential teachings on various aspects of Islamic law and theology.
In more recent times, Rayyan al-Shawaf (1913-1998) was a Palestinian writer, journalist, and political activist who played a significant role in advocating for Palestinian rights and raising awareness about the Palestinian cause through his literary works and activism.
These are just a few examples of notable figures throughout history who have borne the name Rayyan, each leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage associated with this remarkable name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rayyan over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Rayyan 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 Rayyan, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 219 births in 2024, compared with 283 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rayyan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rayyan 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 | #243 | 997 | 5 |
| 2010s | #228 | 2,394 | 10 |
| 2000s | #485 | 750 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2292 | 24 | 4 |
Geography
Where Rayyan is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Rayyan. 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.
Rayyan ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #398 in 2014.
Across the UK
Rayyan in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#404 in 2024
19 years of NRS records, 151 total registered
Northern Ireland (NISRA)
#398 in 2014
1 years of NISRA records, 3 total registered
Related
Names similar to Rayyan
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Rayyan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rayyan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Rayyan was ranked #226 for boys in England and Wales, with 219 births registered.
When was Rayyan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 283 babies registered as Rayyan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rayyan?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "to be satisfied" or "content".
How many people are called Rayyan in the UK?
A total of 4,165 babies have been registered as Rayyan across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 151 more in Scotland and 3 in Northern Ireland.
Where is Rayyan most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Rayyan ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #398 in 2014. 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.