Rauf
Meaningmerciful, kind · Arabic
Rauf is an Arabic boy name meaning “merciful, kind”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name.
Did you know?
- GenerationRauf is having its moment right now. Most Raufs are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- HistoryRauf first shows up in US birth records in 2008, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Rauf
Rauf is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “merciful, kind”. Short and strong, it's said in a single beat with a crisp finish, so it pairs easily with a longer middle name. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Rauf
What does the name Rauf mean?
Rauf means “merciful, kind” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Abdulrahman (“servant of the Most Merciful”), Clement (“merciful, gentle”), Abdurrahman (“servant of the Most Merciful”) and Clemente (“merciful”).
What is the origin of the name Rauf?
Rauf is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Rauf a boy or girl name?
Rauf is a boy name.
How popular is the name Rauf?
Rauf is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2022. It peaked at #12,330 in 2022, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Rauf?
If you like Rauf, you might also like Abdulrahman, Clement, Abdurrahman and Clemente.
What should I know before naming my baby Rauf?
Rauf is an Arabic boy name meaning “merciful, kind”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.