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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rahsaan

Rahsaan

♂ Boy

Pronounced ruh-SAHN /rəˈsɑːn/Medium

Meaning: Usually read as a variant of the Arabic Rayhan ('sweet basil; a fragrant plant; a flower of paradise'), carried into American use famously by jazz multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk. The exact route of this spelling is uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A warm, musical name: Rahsaan echoes the Arabic Rayhan ('fragrant basil; heaven's flower') and jazz great Rahsaan Roland Kirk (said 'ruh-SAHN'). Routes uncertain, which we note.
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Origin LowArabic, American
MeaningUsually read as a variant of the Arabic Rayhan ('sweet basil; a fragrant plant; a flower of paradise'), carried into American use famously by jazz multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk. The exact route of this spelling is uncertain, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#11967 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1973
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,614

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197319702024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

As an American name, Rahsaan reads as a form of the Arabic Rayhan ('sweet basil; fragrant plant; heaven's flower'), carried into wide use by jazz artist Rahsaan Roland Kirk. The exact route of this spelling is uncertain, which we note. Warm and musical (said 'ruh-SAHN').

It appears only rarely in U.S. data, with a strong jazz-world association. Rare, fragrant at the root, and soulful.

Did you know? Rahsaan is best known through jazz multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk; the name is usually tied to the Arabic Rayhan, 'sweet basil; a flower of paradise' — though the spelling's exact route is uncertain, which we note (said 'ruh-SAHN').
Overall data confidence 40%
References - Rahsaan — Rayhan variant / Rahsaan Roland Kirk; route uncertain

Variations

RayhanRasanRahson

Nicknames

RahSaan

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rahsaan…

Rayhan— the Arabic root it echoes
Rashad— a like Arabic Ra- name
Jamal— a like soulful Arabic pick
Kareem— a like warm Arabic name

Explore names like Rahsaan

By themeuncertainarabicjazz
By meaningFlower

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Rahsaan mean?

Rahsaan is usually read as a form of the Arabic Rayhan ('sweet basil; a fragrant plant; a flower of paradise'). The spelling's route is uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Rahsaan?

It's said ruh-SAHN /rəˈsɑːn/ - two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Rahsaan a boy or girl name?

Rahsaan is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Rahsaan?

Rahsaan is a rare name in the U.S.

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