UK girl's name
Ruhani
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "spiritual" or "soulful".
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.
Ruhani is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ruhani popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 8 births.
This profile covers 71 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 2008 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 71 living people in the UK are called Ruhani. 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
- • Ruhani ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2022, when 8 girls were registered as Ruhani.
- • About 71 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ruhani as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3695
2024
Births in 2024
6
Latest year
Peak year
2022
8 births
Estimated living
71
2026
Meaning
What does Ruhani mean?
The name Ruhani is of Persian origin, derived from the Arabic word "ruh" meaning "soul" or "spirit." It is a feminine name that has been used for centuries in the Middle East and parts of South Asia.
In Islamic tradition, the word "ruh" holds deep spiritual significance, representing the divine essence breathed into human beings by God. The name Ruhani, therefore, carries a connotation of purity, spirituality, and a connection to the divine.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ruhani can be traced back to the 13th century, when it was mentioned in the writings of the renowned Persian poet and mystic, Rumi. In his poetic masterpiece, the Masnavi, Rumi referred to the concept of "Ruhani" as the spiritual essence that transcends the physical realm.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Ruhani. One such person was Ruhani Begum (1611-1671), a Mughal princess and the daughter of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. She was known for her patronage of arts and literature, and her influence in the royal court during the reign of her brother, Shah Jahan.
Another prominent bearer of the name was Ruhani Bai (1856-1924), an Indian classical singer and courtesan from the city of Jaipur. She was renowned for her mastery of the Khyal genre of Hindustani classical music and her contributions to the preservation of Indian cultural heritage.
In the 20th century, Ruhani Lal Khanna (1903-1983) was an Indian politician and freedom fighter who played a significant role in the country's independence movement. He served as the Governor of Andhra Pradesh from 1957 to 1962.
More recently, Ruhani Rahman (born 1953) is a prominent Bangladeshi singer and composer who has made significant contributions to the musical landscape of her country. She is known for her soulful renditions of Sufi and folk songs, as well as her efforts in promoting the music of Bangladesh globally.
Ruhani Kaur (born 1994) is a contemporary Indian singer and actress from Punjab. She has gained popularity for her work in Punjabi films and her collaborations with various music producers, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
The name Ruhani continues to be a popular choice among families in various parts of the world, particularly in regions where Persian and Arabic influences have been prevalent. Its deep spiritual connotations and historical significance make it a meaningful and timeless name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ruhani over time
The chart below shows babies named Ruhani registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 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 Ruhani, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ruhani by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ruhani 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 | #3407 | 26 | 4 |
| 2010s | #4723 | 42 | 10 |
| 2000s | #5545 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ruhani
- 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
Ruhani: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ruhani in the UK right now?
In 2024, Ruhani was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Ruhani most popular?
The peak year on record was 2022, with 8 babies registered as Ruhani in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ruhani?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "spiritual" or "soulful".
How many people are called Ruhani in the UK?
A total of 71 babies have been registered as Ruhani 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.