RAHMAN
Rahman is a surname of Arabic origin, derived from the word rahman meaning "merciful" or "compassionate". It is chiefly associated with Islam, where it forms part of the holy Qur’an and is one of the 99 names of Allah, signifying divine mercy.
The name is used extensively within Muslim communities around the world, particularly those of South Asian or Middle Eastern descent. In Bangladesh, for example, the surname is widespread among the Muslim population, reflecting the country’s religious majority.
Demographic evidence shows that the surname Rahman is most common in South Asia and the western parts of Asia. Countries such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran have the highest concentrations. The 2011 Indian census recorded more than 450 000 individuals bearing the name Rahman.
In the United Kingdom, Rahman ranks 247th among 9 400 surnames. The name was most frequent in Manchester, London, Birmingham and Leeds in 2010, though it has since spread nationwide. In the United States the 2010 Census counted 5 759 people with the surname, a figure that more than doubled the 2000 population and concentrated in California, New York, Texas and Illinois.
Member countries of the Arabian Gulf, notably Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai and Bahrain, also host a sizeable Rahman population, a pattern that coincides with sustained migration from South Asia and the MENA region.
Variants and alternative spellings of the surname exist, reflecting linguistic and ethnic differences. Common forms include Raheem, Rhaman, Rehman, Rahim, Rahama, as well as branch surnames such as Rahaman, Rahmani and Rahmana. Some individuals adapt the name to carry a title of piety, for example Rahimullah or Rahimuallah, meaning "mercy of Allah".
The surname’s enduring presence in various countries attests to its deep-rooted significance. It conveys religio‑spiritual values, family heritage and, in many contexts, the qualities of compassion, resilience and respect for tradition.
Typical given names associated with the Rahman surname
Male
- Abdul
- Abdur
- Ataur
- Azizur
- Habibur
- Md
- Mizanur
- Mohammad
- Mohammed
- Mujibur
Female
- Amina
- Fahmida
- Farhana
- Farida
- Farzana
- Fatima
- Jahanara
- Nasima
- Salma
- Sultana
- Syeda
- Yasmin
Similar and related surnames
- Raaman
- Rahaman
- Rahamani
- Rahamn
- Raheman
- Rahemani
- Rahiman
- Rahma
- Rahmaan
- Rahmane
- Rahmani
- Rahmann
- Rahmanov
- Rahmany
- Rahmanzai
- Rahmat
- Rahmen
- Rahmn
- Rahmon
- Rahmoune
- Rahmouni
- Rahnama
- Rahnema
- Raiman
- Rama
- Ramai
- Raman
- Ramana
- Ramanah
- Ramand
- Ramani
- Ramanna
- Ramano
- Ramas
- Ramay
- Ramaz
- Ramen
- Ramian
- Ramin
- Ramini
- Ramman
- Rammohan
- Ramn
- Ramon
- Ramona
- Ramone
- Ramoni
- Ramuni
- Ranman
- Rauman
- Raumann
- Rayman
- Raymant
- Raymen
- Raymon
- Raymone
- Reaman
- Reeman
- Reheman
- Rehman
- Rehmani
- Rehmann
- Reiman
- Reimann
- Reman
- Remanes
- Remen
- Remini
- Remmen
- Remon
- Remyn
- Reoman
- Reumann
- Reyman
- Reymann
- Reymon
- Rhaman
- Rhema
- Rheman
- Rieman
- Riemann
- Riman
- Rimen
- Rimini
- Rimmon
- Rimon
- Rohman
- Rohmann
- Romagna
- Romahn
- Romain
- Romaine
- Roman
- Romana
- Romane
- Romani
- Romania
- Romanie
- Romano
- Romanu
- Romayne
- Romein
- Romen
- Romin
- Romine
- Romman
- Romon
- Romyn
- Rouemaine
- Roumane
- Roumani
- Roumania
- Roumien
- Rowmain
- Rowman
- Roymon
- Rrahmani
- Rramani
- Ruhman
- Ruhmann
- Ruman
- Rumana
- Rumani
- Rumann
- Rumian
- Rumin
- Rumman
- Rumon
- Ryman
- Rymen
- Rymon
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Rahman in...
Braille
⠗⠁⠓⠍⠁⠝
Morse
.-..-....--.--.
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Rahman are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Dark Chocolate Digestive.
There are approximately 25,820 people named Rahman in the UK. That makes it the 314th most common surname in Britain. Around 396 in a million people in Britain are named Rahman.
Region of origin: Asia
Country of origin: Bangladesh
Religion of origin: Muslim
Famous people named Rahman
- Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - Bengali revolutionary, founder (1920 to 1975)
- Lutfur Rahman - Politician
- Idris Rahman - Musician
- Shama Rahman - Singer and musician
- Zoe Rahman - Musician
- Shahida Rahman - Writer
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.