Rehan
Meaningsweet basil · Arabic
Rehan is an Indian boy name meaning “sweet basil”, with Arabic roots. 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 crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationRehan peaked in 2008, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Rehan you'd meet today is about 17 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Rehan would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 43,860 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryRehan first shows up in US birth records in 1974, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 51 years since.
- Boy or girlRehan truly works for either: 85% of the 46 babies named Rehan in 2025 were boys, the rest girls.
US births per million boys, 1974–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Rehan
Rehan is a boy name of Indian origin meaning “sweet basil”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 2000s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian boy names
- Unisex name: Makai · toward the sea
- Boy name: Arjun · bright, shining
- Boy name: Zain · beauty, grace
- Unisex name: Idris · possibly studious
- Boy name: Aarav · peaceful, calm
- Unisex name: Rohan · ascending
- Unisex name: Aryan · noble
- Boy name: Ishaan · lord, ruler
Questions about the name Rehan
What does the name Rehan mean?
Rehan means “sweet basil” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Madhav (“sweet as honey, Krishna”), Nandi (“sweet one”) and Madhur (“sweet”).
What is the origin of the name Rehan?
Rehan is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Arabic. Other Indian names to consider are Makai (“toward the sea”), Arjun (“bright, shining”), Zain (“beauty, grace”) and Idris (“possibly studious”).
Is Rehan a boy or girl name?
Rehan is a boy name, though a few girls are given it too each year. In 2025, 39 US boys were named Rehan.
How popular is the name Rehan?
Rehan ranked #3,089 for US boys in 2025, given to 39 babies. Its best year was 2008, when it reached #1,813. Over the last five years it has slipped 330 places.
What names are similar to Rehan?
If you like Rehan, you might also like Madhav, Nandi and Madhur.
What should I know before naming my baby Rehan?
Rehan is an Indian boy name meaning “sweet basil”, with Arabic roots. 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 crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.