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Rayan

Boy / Girl name · 169 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Rayan: 169 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 16 births in 2025.

Of Arabic origin, Rayan derives from *Rayyān*, meaning "watered" or "luxuriant," and in Islamic tradition it is the name of one of the gates of Paradise, through which those who fasted will enter. The name has surged in popularity across Scotland in recent years, now a firm favourite among diverse communities. Famous bearers include Rayan Cherki, the French footballer of Algerian descent, and the young Moroccan boy Rayan Oram, whose tragic 2022 rescue effort captured global attention. The name shares its root with the city of Rayy in Iran. A notable variant is Ryan, the Irish anglicisation of a completely unrelated Gaelic surname, yet the two are often confused.