Rima

♀ Girl

Pronounced REE-mah /ˈri.mɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Arabic rima, 'a white antelope, a gazelle' (a symbol of grace and beauty); also linked to 'rhyme'; routes layeredMedium

In 30 seconds: A graceful gazelle: Rima is Arabic for 'a white antelope, a gazelle'. Soft, elegant, and warm.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumArabic

MeaningFrom Arabic rima, 'a white antelope, a gazelle' (a symbol of grace and beauty); also linked to 'rhyme'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#4050 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births36 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2015

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,654

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

Rima comes from Arabic rima, 'a white antelope, a gazelle' (a symbol of grace and gentle beauty), and is also linked to 'rhyme, poetry' (routes layered, which we note). A soft, elegant name across the Arab world (and the wild heroine of W.H. Hudson's Green Mansions; said 'REE-mah').

In the U.S. it appears in Arab families. Rare, a-white-gazelle at the root, and elegant.

Did you know? Rima means 'a white antelope, a gazelle' in Arabic — a symbol of grace and beauty (and linked to 'rhyme, poetry') — a soft, elegant name (the heroine of Green Mansions).

Overall data confidence 70%

Arabic references — rima — routes layered

Variations

ReemaRimah

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rima…

Reema— a fellow spelling

Rana— a companion Arabic girls' name

Lina— another soft Arabic girls' name

Mira— a fellow short girls' name

Explore names like Rima

By themeuncertain arabic animal-name

By meaningGrace Beauty

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Rima mean?

Rima is Arabic for 'a white antelope, a gazelle', and is also linked to 'rhyme'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Rima?

It's said REE-mah /ˈri.mɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Rima a boy or girl name?

Rima is a girl's name.

How popular is Rima?

Rima is a rare name in the U.S.