Rising since 1990, #2,239 for girls today.
Popularity of Rahma since 1990
Babies named Rahma per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 95 |
| 2000s | 305 |
| 2010s | 669 |
| 2020s | 463 |
Meaning & origin
Rahma has been in use in the United States since at least 1990, and its trajectory has been steadily rising. The name peaked in popularity in 2016, reflecting a broader interest in Arabic-origin names with spiritual resonance. Its rank in 2025 is 2,239, meaning roughly 1 in 19,601 newborn girls received the name. The top states for Rahma include Minnesota, New York, and Michigan, indicating a concentration in communities with significant populations of Somali and other East African Muslim immigrants, where the name is especially common. Despite its modest overall ranking, Rahma continues a gradual upward trend, consistent with the growing visibility of Arabic names in the American naming landscape.
Rahma is derived from the Arabic root r-h-m, which conveys mercy and compassion. The name is closely related to the divine attribute Ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful) and Ar-Rahim (the Especially Merciful), both of which appear in the Islamic phrase Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim. It has been a common given name across the Arabic-speaking world and among Muslim communities globally, often chosen for its spiritual significance.
Where Rahma is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Rahma” around the world
Where Rahma lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
95
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Rahma
Names that share Rahma's style, for a brother or sister.
