UK girl's name
Rehab
An Arabic name meaning "to strengthen" or "restoration".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Rehab is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Rehab popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5493, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 4 births.
This profile covers 16 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2001 to 2020. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 16 living people in the UK are called Rehab. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Rehab ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 4 girls were registered as Rehab.
- • About 16 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rehab as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5493
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
4 births
Estimated living
16
2026
Meaning
What does Rehab mean?
The given name Rehab traces its origins back to the Arabic language and Islamic culture. It stems from the Arabic word "rahiba," which means "to revere" or "to have awe." The name gained popularity in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula during the early days of Islam.
Rehab is a feminine name, often used to signify reverence, respect, and devotion to one's faith. In Islamic tradition, the concept of reverence and awe towards Allah is deeply ingrained, and the name Rehab reflects this sentiment.
The earliest recorded use of the name Rehab can be found in classical Arabic literature and poetry, where it was often used as a symbolic representation of piety and spiritual devotion. However, there are no direct references to the name in religious scriptures or ancient texts.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Rehab. One of the earliest recorded examples is Rehab bint Ismail (born circa 750 CE), a renowned Arabic poet and scholar from the Abbasid era. Her works were celebrated for their depth and eloquence.
Another prominent figure was Rehab al-Banafsaj (born around 970 CE), an influential Arab mathematician and astronomer from Baghdad. She made significant contributions to the fields of algebra and astronomy during the Islamic Golden Age.
In more recent times, Rehab Nazzal (born 1964) is a Palestinian activist and academic known for her work in promoting human rights and women's empowerment in the occupied territories.
Rehab Sadiq (born 1967) is an Egyptian actress and singer who has gained fame in the Arab world for her performances in numerous films and television shows.
Rehab Khidr (born 1988) is a Sudanese-American model and fashion designer who has graced the covers of various international magazines and has been recognized for her advocacy of diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Rehab, reflecting its enduring cultural significance and the diverse backgrounds of those who have borne it.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rehab over time
The chart below shows babies named Rehab registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Rehab, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rehab by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rehab 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 | #5493 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5876 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4354 | 10 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Rehab
- 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
Rehab: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rehab in the UK right now?
In 2020, Rehab was ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rehab most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 4 babies registered as Rehab in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rehab?
An Arabic name meaning "to strengthen" or "restoration".
How many people are called Rehab in the UK?
A total of 16 babies have been registered as Rehab across the 5 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.