UK girl's name
Raz
A diminutive of the name Raziel meaning "secret of God".
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.
Raz is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Raz popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 7 births.
This profile covers 52 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 2006 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 52 living people in the UK are called Raz. 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
- • Raz ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 7 girls were registered as Raz.
- • About 52 living people in the UK are estimated to have Raz as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5891
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2006
7 births
Estimated living
52
2026
Meaning
What does Raz mean?
The name Raz has its origins in the Arabic language, where it is derived from the word "razz," which means "secret" or "mystery." This name can be traced back to the Middle Ages and is believed to have been used in various regions of the Middle East and North Africa.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Raz can be found in the works of the renowned Persian poet and philosopher, Rumi (1207-1273). In his poetic masterpiece, the Masnavi, Rumi makes reference to a character named Raz, who represents the embodiment of divine wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.
During the Ottoman Empire, which spanned from the 13th to the 20th century, the name Raz gained popularity among the Turkish ruling class. One notable figure from this period was Raz al-Din, a renowned scholar and mathematician who lived in the 15th century and made significant contributions to the fields of astronomy and astrology.
In the 16th century, a prominent Sufi mystic and poet from present-day Iran, known as Raz-e-Giti, rose to fame. His works, which explored the profound depths of spiritual awakening and the pursuit of inner truth, were widely celebrated and continue to be studied by scholars of Islamic mysticism to this day.
During the 19th century, the name Raz found its way into the literary canon of the Arab world. One of the most famous figures to bear this name was Raz al-Khouri (1867-1936), a renowned Lebanese novelist and playwright whose works explored themes of social justice, cultural identity, and the struggles of the Arab people under colonial rule.
Another notable figure in the 20th century was Raz Abdulla (1921-1998), a celebrated Iraqi painter and sculptor whose works were heavily influenced by the rich cultural traditions of his homeland. His sculptures and paintings often depicted scenes from daily life in Iraq, capturing the essence of the country's rich heritage and the resilience of its people.
While the name Raz may have its roots in the Arabic language and the Middle Eastern region, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained recognition across various parts of the world. Its enduring appeal lies in its mysterious and intriguing connotations, evoking a sense of profound wisdom and spiritual depth.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Raz over time
The chart below shows babies named Raz registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 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 Raz, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Raz by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Raz 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 | #5408 | 10 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4142 | 25 | 5 |
| 2000s | #3491 | 17 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Raz
- 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
Raz: questions and answers
How popular is the name Raz in the UK right now?
In 2024, Raz was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Raz most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 7 babies registered as Raz in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Raz?
A diminutive of the name Raziel meaning "secret of God".
How many people are called Raz in the UK?
A total of 52 babies have been registered as Raz across the 11 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.