UK name, mostly girls
Rhema
A feminine name derived from the Greek word meaning "utterance" or "thing spoken".
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.
Rhema is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Rhema popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3015, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 15 births.
This profile covers 125 England and Wales registrations across 21 recorded years from 1998 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 53% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 124 living people in the UK are called Rhema. 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
- • Rhema ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 15 girls were registered as Rhema.
- • About 124 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rhema as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 86.2% of Rhema registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3015
2024
Births in 2024
8
Latest year
Peak year
2013
15 births
Estimated living
124
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Rhema
In England and Wales birth records, Rhema has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 13.8% of registrations are for boys and 86.2% 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.
Rhema registered for boys
- Ranked #4,991 in 2023
- 3 boys registered in 2023
- Peak: 2005 (4 births)
Rhema registered for girls
- Ranked #3,015 in 2024
- 8 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2013 (15 births)
Meaning
What does Rhema mean?
The name Rhema originates from the Greek language and is derived from the word "rhema," which means "an utterance" or "a spoken word." This name has its roots in ancient Greek culture and can be traced back to the 1st century CE.
Rhema is a name with strong religious connotations in Christianity. It is mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, particularly in the Book of Romans, where the apostle Paul uses the term "rhema" to refer to the spoken word of God. This association with the divine word has given the name a spiritual significance.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Rhema can be found in the writings of the early Christian theologian and scholar, Origen (185-254 CE). He used the term "rhema" extensively in his works, further cementing its connection to Christian theology.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Rhema. One of the most famous was Rhema of Caesarea (c. 312-335 CE), a Christian martyr who was executed for her faith during the reign of the Roman Emperor Maximinus II. Her unwavering devotion to Christianity and her willingness to sacrifice her life for her beliefs made her a revered figure in early Christian history.
Another prominent figure with the name Rhema was the 6th-century Byzantine scholar and philosopher, Rhema of Alexandria. He was renowned for his contributions to the fields of logic and metaphysics, and his works were widely studied in the Byzantine Empire.
In the Middle Ages, Rhema was the name of a nun who lived in the 12th century. She is known for her spiritual writings and her unwavering commitment to the monastic life. Her works, which focused on the contemplative aspects of Christianity, were widely read and influential among religious communities of the time.
In more recent times, Rhema was the name of a 19th-century African-American woman, Rhema Sutton (1818-1892), who was a prominent educator and activist in the fight for equal rights. She founded one of the first schools for African-American children in Pennsylvania and was a vocal advocate for the abolition of slavery.
Another notable individual with the name Rhema was Rhema Marvanne (1888-1965), a British actress and singer who enjoyed a successful career on the stage and in early films during the early 20th century. She was known for her performances in Shakespearean plays and her skills as a vocalist.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Rhema over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Rhema in England and Wales, from 1998 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 Rhema, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 15 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Rhema by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rhema 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 | #2983 | 33 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3933 | 69 | 10 |
| 2000s | #4606 | 17 | 5 |
| 1990s | #3874 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Rhema
- 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
Rhema: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rhema in the UK right now?
In 2024, Rhema was ranked #3015 for girls in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.
When was Rhema most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 15 babies registered as Rhema in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rhema?
A feminine name derived from the Greek word meaning "utterance" or "thing spoken".
How many people are called Rhema in the UK?
A total of 125 babies have been registered as Rhema across the 21 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.