MallowbyNames

Ruwayda

رُوَيْدَةroo-WAY-dah · gentle, soft, or slow-moving; also interpreted as 'one who walks with a gentle gait'.

2025 rank (girls)
#7,133
Babies named in 2025
15
Peak popularity
2017
2025 frequency
1 in 107,151 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 2022

Rising since 2022, #7,133 for girls today.

Popularity of Ruwayda since 2001

Babies named Ruwayda per year in U.S. Social Security records.

6131920102020Most births 2017Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
2000s43
2010s114
2020s30

Meaning & origin

Ruwayda is an Arabic name that entered U.S. birth records in 2001, initially rare but gradually rising. Its peak year was 2017, and since 2022, it has been on an upward trajectory. The name is pronounced roo-WAY-dah and is most frequently given in Minnesota, reflecting local usage patterns among families with Arabic heritage. A gentle, melodic choice, Ruwayda remains uncommon nationwide but carries a distinct sense of softness and grace inherent in its meaning.

Ruwayda is a diminutive form of the Arabic word 'rawd' (meadow or garden) or related to 'ruwayd' (gentle, leisurely). It conveys a sense of softness and grace. The name has been used in Arabic-speaking communities and gained modest recognition in the U.S. beginning in the early 2000s, reflecting broader trends of adopting distinctive Arabic names.

Where Ruwayda is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Roo, Wayda, Ruda

Variants: Ruwaida, Ruwaydah

Sibling names for Ruwayda

Names that share Ruwayda's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Layla, Zara, Amina, Nadia, Yasmin

Brothers: Omar, Zayn, Amir, Khalid, Tariq

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

R is for Ruwayda, our favorite little girl.

R is for Ruwayda…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Ruwayda's letter becomes Ruwayda's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Ruwayda's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Ruwayda mean?
Ruwayda is an Arabic name meaning 'gentle', 'soft', or 'slow-moving', often associated with a graceful gait.
How popular is the name Ruwayda?
Ruwayda is uncommon in the United States. As of 2025, it ranked 7133rd, with about 1 in 107,151 newborn girls receiving the name. Its peak popularity was in 2017.
Is Ruwayda a boy or girl name?
Ruwayda is traditionally a girl's name.