Rayana first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Rayana has been for the last 44 years (from 1981 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Rayana

An Arabic feminine name meaning "small gazelle" or "little gazelle-like one".

Popularity of Rayana by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Rayana is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 45 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Rayana.

Year Male Count Female Count
2024 0 45
2023 0 36
2022 0 26
2021 0 21
2020 0 16
2019 0 23
2018 0 20
2017 0 22
2016 0 31
2015 0 19
2014 0 24
2013 0 27
2012 0 29
2011 0 30
2010 0 35
2009 0 55
2008 0 50
2007 0 51
2006 0 53
2005 0 40
2004 0 44
2003 0 34
2002 0 54
2001 0 57
2000 0 36
1999 0 37
1998 0 40
1997 0 33
1996 0 36
1995 0 15
1994 0 17
1993 0 18
1992 0 20
1991 0 14
1990 0 7
1989 0 11
1987 0 9
1981 0 7

The history of the first name Rayana

The name Rayana is believed to have its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient language of India dating back to the 2nd millennium BCE. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "raya," which means "wealth" or "prosperity." The name may have been given to children as a wish for them to have an abundant and prosperous life.

In ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, such as the Vedas and Puranas, there are references to various deities and mythological figures with names similar to Rayana, suggesting a rich cultural and religious heritage associated with the name. However, there are no specific historical records mentioning the name Rayana itself in these ancient texts.

The earliest recorded use of the name Rayana can be traced back to the 16th century CE, during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire in southern India. One notable figure from this period was Rayana Udayar, a powerful minister and military commander who served under the Vijayanagara kings.

In the 18th century, Rayana Sarma was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and philosopher from the Andhra region of India. He authored several works on Vedanta philosophy and is considered a influential figure in the revival of Sanskrit literature during that time.

Moving into the 20th century, Rayana Prasad was an Indian freedom fighter and social reformer who actively participated in the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was born in 1889 and played a significant role in promoting education and social upliftment in his home state of Andhra Pradesh.

Another notable person with the name Rayana was Rayana Livia, an Indonesian writer and journalist who lived from 1923 to 2005. She was a prominent figure in the literary circles of Indonesia and was known for her contributions to the country's cultural and intellectual discourse.

In more recent times, Rayana Khaalid is a Syrian-American author and activist who has written extensively on issues related to human rights, women's empowerment, and cultural identity. Her works have been widely acclaimed and have brought attention to the experiences of Middle Eastern communities in the West.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rayana was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rayana, please contact us.

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"Rayana first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 19, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/rayana-meaning-and-history/.

"Rayana first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/rayana-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 19 October, 2025

Rayana first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/rayana-meaning-and-history/.

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