The name Rihanna is of Arabic origin, derived from the word "rayhan," which means "sweet basil" or "fragrant plant." It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period in the Arabian Peninsula and was later adopted by various cultures across the Middle East and North Africa.

The earliest known historical reference to the name Rihanna can be traced back to the 12th century, where it was mentioned in several Arabic literary works and poetry. One notable mention is found in the writings of the renowned Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, who used the name as a metaphor for beauty and grace.

In the 13th century, Rihanna gained popularity among the ruling classes of the Ottoman Empire, with several princesses and noblewomen bearing the name. One of the most famous historical figures named Rihanna was Rihanna Khanum, a 16th-century Ottoman princess known for her patronage of the arts and literature.

During the Islamic Golden Age, the name Rihanna was associated with intellectual pursuits and artistic expression. Several notable scholars, poets, and musicians bore this name, including Rihanna al-Bairuni, a 10th-century Persian mathematician, and Rihanna al-Andalusi, a 12th-century Andalusian poet and musician.

As the name spread across the Middle East and North Africa, it took on various spellings and variations, such as Rayhana, Rayhan, and Rihanah. In the 16th century, the name gained some popularity in Europe, particularly among the Sephardic Jewish communities of Spain and Portugal, who had adopted Arabic names during their time in the Iberian Peninsula.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rihanna. These include Rihanna bint Isa al-Hashimi (790-830), a renowned 9th-century Arab poet and scholar; Rihanna al-Kurdi (1613-1680), a 17th-century Ottoman calligrapher and poet; Rihanna al-Nabulsi (1641-1718), a renowned Syrian scholar and jurist; Rihanna Bint Hussain Al Saud (1838-1919), a member of the Saudi royal family; and Rihanna Rashid (1891-1965), a pioneering Syrian feminist and educator.