UK girl's name
Riham
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "fragrance" or "basil".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Riham is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Riham popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4634, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 12 births.
This profile covers 94 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 2001 to 2021. 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 94 living people in the UK are called Riham. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Riham ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 12 girls were registered as Riham.
- • About 94 living people in the UK are estimated to have Riham as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4634
2021
Births in 2021
4
Latest year
Peak year
2011
12 births
Estimated living
94
2026
Meaning
What does Riham mean?
The name Riham has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "raham," which means "merciful" or "compassionate." The name is believed to have first emerged in the Middle East region, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula, during the early days of Islam.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Riham can be found in various Islamic texts and historical records from the 7th and 8th centuries CE. It is mentioned in some ancient Arabic literature and poetry, reflecting its connection to the cultural and linguistic heritage of the region.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Riham. One of the earliest recorded instances is Riham bint Abi Sufyan (born around 600 CE), a prominent woman in early Islamic history who was the daughter of Abu Sufyan, a leader of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. She played a significant role in the early days of Islam and was known for her wisdom and influence.
Another prominent figure with the name Riham was Riham al-Khatib (1080-1145 CE), a renowned Arab mathematician and astronomer from Aleppo, Syria. She made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and is recognized for her work on algebraic equations and astronomical calculations.
In the 13th century, Riham al-Dimashqi (1256-1321 CE) was a prominent Arab historian and scholar from Damascus, Syria. She authored several influential works on the history and culture of the region, providing valuable insights into the sociopolitical landscape of the time.
In the 15th century, Riham al-Andalusi (1420-1490 CE) was a notable Arab poet and scholar from Andalusia, a region in modern-day Spain. Her poetic works were widely celebrated, and she was known for her mastery of Arabic literature and language.
Another notable figure with the name Riham was Riham al-Misri (1570-1642 CE), an Egyptian scholar and theologian who made significant contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and religious studies. Her works were highly influential in the region and are still studied today.
While the name Riham has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has since been adopted and used across various regions and communities around the world, reflecting the rich diversity and cultural exchange that has shaped human history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Riham over time
The chart below shows babies named Riham registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Riham, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2021, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Riham by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Riham 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 | #4634 | 4 | 1 |
| 2010s | #3672 | 55 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3184 | 35 | 6 |
Related
Names similar to Riham
- 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
Riham: questions and answers
How popular is the name Riham in the UK right now?
In 2021, Riham was ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Riham most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 12 babies registered as Riham in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Riham?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "fragrance" or "basil".
How many people are called Riham in the UK?
A total of 94 babies have been registered as Riham across the 15 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.