Ruqayyah
Meaningrising, ascending · Arabic
Ruqayyah is an Arabic girl name meaning “rising, ascending”. 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 flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Ruqayyah would score 26 points, thanks largely to the Q (worth 10). A high-scoring name!
- GenerationRuqayyah is having its moment right now. Most Ruqayyahs are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Ruqayyah would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 48,780 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryRuqayyah first shows up in US birth records in 1977, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 48 years since.
US births per million girls, 1977–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Ruqayyah
Ruqayyah is a girl name of Arabic origin meaning “rising, ascending”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, and plenty of room for a nickname, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It has been around for generations, yet it's never been more loved than it is today. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
Other spellings of Ruqayyah
More Arabic girl names
- Girl name: Eleanor · possibly light
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Girl name: Aaliyah · exalted
- Girl name: Amira · princess
- Girl name: Lilly · lily flower
- Girl name: Leila · night
- Girl name: Aliyah · ascent
Questions about the name Ruqayyah
What does the name Ruqayyah mean?
Ruqayyah means “rising, ascending” and comes from Arabic. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Rohan (“ascending”) and Ruqayya (“rising, ascending”).
What is the origin of the name Ruqayyah?
Ruqayyah is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Eleanor (“possibly light”), Layla (“night”), Lyla (“night”) and Aaliyah (“exalted”).
Is Ruqayyah a boy or girl name?
Ruqayyah is a girl name. In 2025, 33 US girls were named Ruqayyah.
How popular is the name Ruqayyah?
Ruqayyah ranked #4,265 for US girls in 2025, given to 33 babies. That's its best rank ever: the name is at the height of its popularity right now. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,222 places.
What names are similar to Ruqayyah?
If you like Ruqayyah, you might also like Ruqayya and Rohan. Ruqayya is another spelling of the same name.
What should I know before naming my baby Ruqayyah?
Ruqayyah is an Arabic girl name meaning “rising, ascending”. 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 flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.