Fun Facts About the Name Ruqaya
- 159 babies named Ruqaya: U.S. records list 159 babies given the name Ruqaya from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Ruqaya Mean?
Ruqaya - also written Ruqayyah, Ruqayya, or Ruqiyya - is an Arabic name built on the root r-q-y, whose basic sense is "to rise, ascend, or climb." The name is shaped on the Arabic diminutive pattern fuʿaylah, so its literal force is something like "small ascent" or "rising," and it is customarily understood as "elevation" or "exalted."
A separate noun from the same root, ruqyah (رُقْيَة), means a spoken charm or incantation, traditionally a recitation used for healing. That word grew out of the same idea of raising the voice or words, but it is a distinct term, not the literal meaning of the personal name.
Ruqaya Name History & Origins
Ruqaya belongs to the older stock of Arabic given names, and its best-known early bearer is Ruqayyah bint Muhammad, a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and his wife Khadija. She married Uthman ibn Affan, later the third caliph, and is remembered in Islamic tradition among the Prophet's daughters. Another early figure with the name is Ruqayyah bint Ali, a daughter of Ali ibn Abi Talib.
The name spread with Arabic and with Islam, so it appears in many Muslim societies under locally adapted spellings and forms - for instance Rukiye in Turkish and Ruqayya or Ruqiyya in Persian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian usage. Because it passes through several writing systems, transliterations differ widely, which is why Ruqaya, Ruqayyah, Ruqayya, Rukaya, and Rokaya all appear in English.
How Popular is the Name Ruqaya?
Ruqaya has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2023. Its best rank was #8,399 in 2023.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #8,768 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2024 | #10,103 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2023 | #8,399 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2022 | #14,965 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2021 | #14,926 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2020 | #17,054 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #9,626 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 2018 | #17,671 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2017 | #11,449 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2016 | #12,674 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2015 | #10,026 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2014 | #12,850 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2013 | #14,324 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2012 | #13,231 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2011 | #11,030 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2010 | #19,286 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2009 | #19,642 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #12,395 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2007 | #19,942 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2006 | #16,716 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Ruqaya Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are a law unto itself. Your tendency is to finish whatever you start. You are tolerant and like to help humanity. You are very active. You are generally warmhearted and gives freely of your time, energy, and sympathetic understanding. You have tolerance and acceptance of the frailties of others. Universal and humanitarian in outlook. This is very compassionate name. Emergencies may raise your intuitive abilities in order to resolve conflict or situation. You become very creative under the pressure, and have quite original ideas to make the best out of it.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Ruqaya's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Ruqaya's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.