Rasheed
Primarily a boy's name of Arabic origin with 4,801 recorded births. Also given to 35 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Arabic, variant of Rashid.
Rasheed is a boy's and girl's baby name of Arabic origin, a variant of Rashid, meaning 'rightly guided' or 'one who makes the right choice,' from the Arabic root rashada (to follow the right path). It is one of the 99 names of God in Islam (Al-Rashid).
When a name is among the attributes of the divine in Islamic tradition, naming a son Rasheed is an act of profound devotion — invoking the quality of right guidance for the child's entire life. Basketball player Rasheed Wallace brought the name into American sports culture, adding athletic recognition alongside its deep spiritual roots.
EtymologyShow more
Though Rasheed dates back to 1968 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Arabic classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
Rasheed’s 4,801 recorded births provide enough of a footprint to establish it as a real, chosen name in American culture — not a typo or a one-off, but a deliberate selection by hundreds of families.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Rasheed was #1122 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3748, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 163 | #3611 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 499 | #2587 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 1,108 | #1422 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 1,509 | #904 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 832 | #1041 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 678 | #1163 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 12 | #4167 | — |
The Story of Rasheed
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1995, Rasheed is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Rasheed are most likely born between 1985 and 2005.
How rare is Rasheed?
Only about 1 in every 120,000 babies born in 2024 was named Rasheed — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1968, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1990s with 1,509 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Rasheed by the numbers
- Would fill 100 school buses
- Meeting one Rasheed per day would take 13.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(57 years, 1968–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 | #3748 |
| 2023 | 24 | #4431 |
| 2022 | 32 | #3595 |
| 2021 | 45 | #2806 |
| 2020 | 32 | #3473 |
| 2019 | 38 | #3138 |
| 2018 | 38 | #3091 |
| 2017 | 48 | #2624 |
| 2016 | 48 | #2611 |
| 2015 | 45 | #2709 |
| 2014 | 44 | #2740 |
| 2013 | 65 | #2083 |
| 2012 | 48 | #2585 |
| 2011 | 60 | #2194 |
| 2010 | 65 | #2090 |
| 2009 | 71 | #1985 |
| 2008 | 80 | #1837 |
| 2007 | 91 | #1679 |
| 2006 | 92 | #1591 |
| 2005 | 87 | #1592 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Rasheed as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Rasheed has also been given to 35 girls in the U.S. since 1976.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rasheed a boy's or girl's name?
When was Rasheed most popular?
How popular is the name Rasheed?
Can Rasheed be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1968–2024