Raza
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 372 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Dari [in turn from Classical Persian, in turn from Arabic] or from Urdu [in turn from Classical Persian, in turn from Arabic], variant of Riza.
Raza is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin meaning 'contentment' or 'satisfaction,' from the Arabic/Persian root riza (pleasure, contentment, God's approval). In Islamic theology, Ridha (also Raza) refers to being pleased with God's will — a state of spiritual contentment.
Raza is the name of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha, the eighth Imam in Shia Islam, making it a name with profound Shia religious significance. It carries the aspiration for a child who finds peace and contentment in life.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Raza is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1981–2024). Its Arabic roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Raza is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #6090), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Raza climbed 1939 spots in the last 20 years — from #8029 to #6090.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 53 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 88 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 102 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 94 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 35 | — |
The Story of Raza
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1995, Raza is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Raza are most likely born between 1985 and 2005.
How rare is Raza?
Only about 1 in every 240,000 babies born in 2024 was named Raza — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1981, peaked in the 2000s with 102 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Raza by the numbers
- Would fill 8 school buses
- Meeting one Raza per day would take 1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(40 years, 1981–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | #6090 |
| 2023 | 15 | #6152 |
| 2022 | 6 | #11993 |
| 2021 | 8 | #9502 |
| 2020 | 9 | #8570 |
| 2019 | 12 | #7085 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10490 |
| 2017 | 8 | #9493 |
| 2016 | 5 | #13741 |
| 2015 | 14 | #6237 |
| 2014 | 6 | #11805 |
| 2013 | 7 | #10482 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7432 |
| 2011 | 7 | #10532 |
| 2010 | 11 | #7470 |
| 2009 | 8 | #9677 |
| 2008 | 13 | #6680 |
| 2007 | 13 | #6530 |
| 2006 | 14 | #6024 |
| 2005 | 9 | #8155 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raza a boy's or girl's name?
When was Raza most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1981–2024