Declining since 1993, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Rasha since 1961
Babies named Rasha per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 | 0 |
| 1970s | 95 | 11 |
| 1980s | 167 | 11 |
| 1990s | 184 | 15 |
| 2000s | 108 | 0 |
| 2010s | 99 | 0 |
| 2020s | 38 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Rasha is a name of debated origin, most warmly embraced in Arabic-speaking communities as a poetic term for a 'young gazelle.' It entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1961 and climbed to its peak popularity in 1992, before beginning a gradual decline that has continued through the latest data. At its rank of 10,107 in 2025, the name remains rare with about 1 in every 178,585 newborns receiving it. This relative rarity appeals to parents seeking an uncommon name with cross-cultural resonance, though it has never charted among the top state-level favorites. Whether derived from Arabic endearment or a distant echo of Rachel, Rasha carries a soft, melodic sound that fits comfortably alongside sister names like Layla and brother names like Omar.
Rasha is most commonly derived from Arabic رَشَا (rashā) meaning "young gazelle," a term of endearment in the Arabic-speaking world. Some scholars also link it to Hebrew רש"ע (Rasha), a name meaning "wicked" in Jewish tradition, though this is rare. The name may also be a variant of Rachel, from Hebrew רָחֵל (Rachel) meaning "ewe." Rasha entered U.S. records in the 1960s and saw modest usage among families of Arabic and Hebrew heritage.
“Rasha” around the world
Where Rasha lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rash, Rashi
Variants: Rashaa, Racha
Sibling names for Rasha
Names that share Rasha's style, for a brother or sister.
