NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Rwan

Of Arabic origin, meaning a gazelle or beautiful doe.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 3 boys.

Rwan is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Rwan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5669, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 3 births.

This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2013 to 2022. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Rwan. 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 2023 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Rwan ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2013, when 3 girls were registered as Rwan.
  • Rwan is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rwan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 66.7% of Rwan registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5669

2022

Births in 2022

3

Latest year

Peak year

2013

3 births

Estimated living

6

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Rwan

In England and Wales birth records, Rwan has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 33.3% of registrations are for boys and 66.7% 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.

33% boys
67% girls
Boys3 (33.3%)Girls6 (66.7%)

Rwan registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,685 in 2013
  • 3 boys registered in 2013
  • Peak: 2013 (3 births)

Rwan registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,669 in 2022
  • 3 girls registered in 2022
  • Peak: 2013 (3 births)

Meaning

What does Rwan mean?

The name Rwan has its origins rooted in the ancient Arabic language. It is a variation of the more common name Rawan, which is derived from the Arabic word "rawwan," meaning "paradise-dweller" or "one who resides in paradise." This name finds its earliest recorded use in the Middle Eastern region, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding areas, dating back to the 6th century CE.

During the Islamic Golden Age, which spanned from the 8th to the 13th century, the name Rwan gained popularity among Muslim communities. It was often bestowed upon children with the hope and blessing that they would grow up to be righteous individuals, worthy of residing in paradise according to Islamic beliefs.

One of the earliest recorded historical figures bearing the name Rwan was Rwan ibn Hatim al-Qays, a renowned Arab poet and warrior who lived in the 7th century CE. He was celebrated for his bravery and poetic prowess, and his works have been preserved in various anthologies of ancient Arabic literature.

In the 9th century CE, a notable scholar and astronomer named Rwan al-Battani made significant contributions to the field of astronomy. His work on the calculation of the Earth's circumference and the motion of the sun was highly influential and shaped the understanding of celestial mechanics during that era.

During the 10th century, a influential Islamic philosopher and theologian named Rwan al-Suhrawardi emerged from Persia. His teachings and writings on the concept of "Illuminationism" had a profound impact on the development of Islamic philosophy and mysticism.

In the 12th century, a famous Sufi mystic and poet named Rwan al-Din al-Suhrawardi was born in present-day Iran. His poetic works, which often explored the themes of divine love and spiritual enlightenment, were widely celebrated and have been translated into various languages.

Another notable figure bearing the name Rwan was Rwan al-Nuri, a prominent Kurdish leader and military commander who lived in the 16th century. He played a significant role in the resistance against the Ottoman Empire and was celebrated for his bravery and leadership abilities.

While the name Rwan has its roots in the Arabic language and Islamic culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and has been adopted by various cultures and communities around the world, each infusing it with their own cultural significance and interpretations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Rwan over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Rwan in England and Wales, from 2013 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Rwan, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2022, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
02356201320172022

Decades

Rwan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rwan 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 #5669 3 1
2010s #5742 3 1

Related

Names similar to Rwan

FAQ

Rwan: questions and answers

How popular is the name Rwan in the UK right now?

In 2022, Rwan was ranked #5669 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Rwan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2013, with 3 babies registered as Rwan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Rwan?

Of Arabic origin, meaning a gazelle or beautiful doe.

How many people are called Rwan in the UK?

A total of 6 babies have been registered as Rwan across the 2 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.