UK girl's name
Riyana
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "meadow" or "garden".
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.
Riyana is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Riyana popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2574, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 11 births.
This profile covers 118 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 2002 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 91% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 117 living people in the UK are called Riyana. 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
- • Riyana ranked #2574 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 11 girls were registered as Riyana.
- • About 117 living people in the UK are estimated to have Riyana as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2574
2024
Births in 2024
10
Latest year
Peak year
2006
11 births
Estimated living
117
2026
Meaning
What does Riyana mean?
The name Riyana has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the word "rayyan," which means "fragrant" or "fresh." This name is believed to have originated in the Middle East region during the early Islamic era, around the 7th century AD.
One of the earliest known references to the name Riyana can be found in ancient Arabic poetry and literature. It was often used as a symbolic name to represent beauty, elegance, and purity, reflecting the fragrant and refreshing connotations of its root word.
In the 9th century AD, Riyana bint Ismail al-Hashimi was a renowned scholar and poet from the Abbasid era. She is considered one of the earliest known women in Islamic history to have achieved significant recognition for her literary works and contributions to Arabic poetry.
During the 12th century, Riyana al-Ramli was a prominent female scholar and jurist from Damascus, Syria. She is celebrated for her expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and her role in advancing women's education and participation in religious scholarship.
In the 16th century, Riyana bint Ali al-Masri was a notable Egyptian calligrapher and artist. Her intricate calligraphic works, adorned with intricate patterns and floral designs, were highly acclaimed and are preserved in various museums and collections around the world.
Another notable figure was Riyana al-Jaziri, a 17th-century Syrian poet and intellectual from Aleppo. Her poetic works, which often explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality, gained widespread recognition and appreciation during her lifetime.
The name Riyana has continued to be used across various regions and cultures influenced by the Arabic language and Islamic traditions. Its connection to fragrance, beauty, and purity has made it a popular choice for parents seeking a name with positive connotations and historical significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Riyana over time
The chart below shows babies named Riyana registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 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 Riyana, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 11 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Riyana by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Riyana 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 | #3660 | 33 | 5 |
| 2010s | #4099 | 43 | 8 |
| 2000s | #3061 | 42 | 6 |
Related
Names similar to Riyana
- 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
Riyana: questions and answers
How popular is the name Riyana in the UK right now?
In 2024, Riyana was ranked #2574 for girls in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.
When was Riyana most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 11 babies registered as Riyana in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Riyana?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "meadow" or "garden".
How many people are called Riyana in the UK?
A total of 118 babies have been registered as Riyana across the 19 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.