Rising since 2009, #2,167 for boys today.
Popularity of Rahim since 1967
Babies named Rahim per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 19 |
| 1970s | 297 |
| 1980s | 287 |
| 1990s | 353 |
| 2000s | 292 |
| 2010s | 370 |
| 2020s | 287 |
Meaning & origin
Rahim is an Arabic name deeply rooted in Islamic tradition, directly referencing divine mercy. In the United States, its usage has grown steadily since the late 2000s. First recorded in U.S. births in 1967, it reached its peak rank of 2,167 in 2025, with highest concentrations in Maryland, Virginia, and New York. The name's trajectory has been consistently rising since 2009, reflecting broader interest in Arabic-origin names. While still uncommon, it carries strong cultural and spiritual resonance for Muslim families. Its simplicity and profound meaning make it a distinctive yet accessible choice.
Rahim derives from the Arabic root ra-hi-m (رحم), meaning 'mercy' or 'compassion.' It appears in the Quran as one of God's attributes (Ar-Rahim, 'the Most Merciful'), closely related to Rahman. The name has been widely used across the Muslim world for centuries, often in compound names like Abdur Rahim ('servant of the Merciful').
Where Rahim is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Rahim” around the world
Where Rahim lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
90
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Rahim
Names that share Rahim's style, for a brother or sister.
