UK girl's name
Riha
A feminine Arabic name meaning "fragrance" or "aroma".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Riha is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Riha popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5742, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 5 births.
This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2008 to 2013. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Riha. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Riha ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales in 2013, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 5 girls were registered as Riha.
- • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Riha as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5742
2013
Births in 2013
3
Latest year
Peak year
2008
5 births
Estimated living
12
2026
Meaning
What does Riha mean?
The given name Riha originates from the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that has its roots in the Indian subcontinent. The name is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word "rih," which means "to lick" or "to taste." It is also considered to be a variation of the Sanskrit name "Rikha," which means "prosperity" or "wealth."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Riha can be found in the ancient Hindu scriptures known as the Vedas, particularly in the Rig Veda, which is one of the oldest and most revered texts in Hinduism. The name is mentioned in several hymns and mantras, suggesting its significance in the religious and cultural context of ancient India.
Throughout history, the name Riha has been associated with various notable individuals. One of the earliest known bearers of this name was Riha Bhatta, an Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the 5th century CE. He is renowned for his contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in the realm of algebra and trigonometry.
Another significant figure with the name Riha was Riha Brahmachari, a Hindu religious leader and philosopher who lived in the 12th century CE. He was known for his teachings on spirituality and was highly regarded for his wisdom and insight into the nature of the human condition.
In the realm of literature, the name Riha is associated with Riha Rani, a celebrated Indian poet who lived in the 16th century CE. Her poetic works, which often explored themes of love, devotion, and spirituality, have been widely acclaimed and continue to be studied and appreciated to this day.
Moving forward in time, the name Riha was also borne by Riha Devi, a prominent Indian freedom fighter who played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from British colonial rule in the early 20th century. Her bravery and dedication to the cause of freedom have been widely recognized and celebrated.
Lastly, a more contemporary bearer of the name Riha is Riha Chughtai, a renowned Pakistani artist and painter who is known for her vibrant and expressive works that depict themes of identity, culture, and societal issues. Her art has been exhibited in various galleries and museums around the world, and she is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the modern era in South Asia.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Riha over time
The chart below shows babies named Riha registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Riha, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2013, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Riha by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Riha 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5742 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4212 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Riha
- 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
Riha: questions and answers
How popular is the name Riha in the UK right now?
In 2013, Riha was ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Riha most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 5 babies registered as Riha in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Riha?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "fragrance" or "aroma".
How many people are called Riha in the UK?
A total of 12 babies have been registered as Riha across the 3 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.