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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rihana

Rihana

♀ Girl

Pronounced ree-HAH-nah /riˈhɑ.nɑ/Medium

Meaning: A spelling of Rayhana — from the Arabic rayhan, 'sweet basil; a fragrant, aromatic plant', connoting delightLow

In 30 seconds: Sweet basil; a fragrant plant: Rihana is Arabic. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'ree-HAH-nah').
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Origin LowArabic
MeaningA spelling of Rayhana — from the Arabic rayhan, 'sweet basil; a fragrant, aromatic plant', connoting delight
U.S. rank (2025)#7074 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births16 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2007
Total births (all-time)≈ 705

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200719832025

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

Rihana is a spelling of Rayhana — from the Arabic rayhan, 'sweet basil; a fragrant, aromatic plant', connoting delight. A lyrical, classic name (said 'ree-HAH-nah').

In the U.S. it appears in Arabic-speaking families. Rare, sweet-basil at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Rihana (Rayhana) comes from the Arabic rayhan, 'sweet basil; a fragrant plant', connoting delight — a lyrical, aromatic name (said 'ree-HAH-nah').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Rayhana — Arabic etymology

Variations

RayhanaRihannaReyhana

Nicknames

Riri

Famous Bearers

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If you like Rihana…

Rayhana— the standard spelling
Rihanna— a kin spelling
Yasmin— a companion Arabic fragrant-plant girls' name
Riyana— shares the -na ending
Aleyna— another Arabic name

Explore names like Rihana

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rihana mean?

Rihana (Rayhana) is Arabic for 'sweet basil; a fragrant, aromatic plant', connoting delight.

How do you pronounce Rihana?

It's said ree-HAH-nah /riˈhɑ.nɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Rihana a boy or girl name?

Rihana is a girl's name.

How popular is Rihana?

Rihana is a very rare name in the U.S.

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