Rihaan first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Rihaan has been for the last 13 years (from 2011 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Rihaan

A masculine Arabic name meaning "pleasant fragrance" or "sweet basil".

Popularity of Rihaan by gender

Based on the last 13 years of data, Rihaan is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 65 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Rihaan.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 65 0
2022 64 0
2021 73 0
2020 61 0
2019 75 0
2018 67 0
2017 72 0
2016 44 0
2015 41 0
2014 13 0
2013 13 0
2012 11 0
2011 8 0

The history of the first name Rihaan

The name Rihaan has its roots in the Arabic language and culture. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in the regions of the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant, during the medieval period.

The name Rihaan is derived from the Arabic word "rihan," which means "basil" or "sweet basil." This herb holds significant importance in Arabic culture, symbolizing hospitality, love, and prosperity. The name itself is a testament to the reverence for nature and its bountiful gifts.

While there are no explicit references to the name Rihaan in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its connection to the Arabic language and the cultural significance of basil can be traced back to the early Islamic era and the spread of the Arabic language across the Middle East and beyond.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Rihaan was Rihaan al-Azdi, a renowned Arab poet who lived during the 7th century CE. His poetic works celebrated the beauty of the Arabic language and the richness of the desert landscape.

Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the name Rihaan. One such individual was Rihaan al-Bukhari (1126-1209 CE), a prominent Islamic scholar and jurist from Bukhara, in present-day Uzbekistan. His contributions to the study of Islamic jurisprudence and hadith (prophetic traditions) were highly influential.

In the realm of literature, Rihaan al-Maaluf (1876-1945), a Lebanese writer and poet, left an indelible mark on the Arabic literary world. His works explored themes of identity, nationalism, and the complexities of the human experience.

Another prominent figure was Rihaan Khan (1923-2014), a Pakistani cricketer who captained the national team in the 1950s and later served as a cricket administrator. His leadership and dedication to the sport earned him widespread respect and admiration.

Rihaan al-Zahawi (1938-2020) was an Iraqi-born British novelist and poet, known for his poignant exploration of exile, displacement, and cultural identity in his literary works.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Rihaan, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human culture and achievement.

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 Rihaan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Rihaan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 25, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/rihaan-meaning-and-history/.

"Rihaan first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/rihaan-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 25 June, 2025

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

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.