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Home › Baby Names Directory › Rokhaya

Rokhaya

♀ Girl

Pronounced roh-KY-ah /roʊˈkaɪ.ɑː/Medium

Meaning: A Senegalese and wider West African form of the Arabic Ruqayyah, borne by a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad; the Arabic name is often glossed 'gentle; rise, ascent.' Rokhaya is a very common girls' name in Senegal.Low

In 30 seconds: A Senegalese form of Ruqayyah: Rokhaya is warmly familiar in West Africa (said 'roh-KY-ah'). Heritage-rich and much loved.
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Origin MediumArabic, Wolof
MeaningA Senegalese and wider West African form of the Arabic Ruqayyah, borne by a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad; the Arabic name is often glossed 'gentle; rise, ascent.' Rokhaya is a very common girls' name in Senegal.
U.S. rank (2024)#14876 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2005
Total births (all-time)≈ 134

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200519972024

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

Rokhaya is the Senegalese Wolof form of the Arabic Ruqayyah, a name honoured in Islamic tradition as that of a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, which we note respectfully. Carried into West Africa with Islam, it settled into this local spelling and sound and is now everyday and beloved in Senegal. In the U.S. it is rare and heritage-carried (said 'roh-KY-ah').

It appears only rarely in U.S. records. Rare, warm, and heritage-carried.

Did you know? Rokhaya is the Wolof form of Ruqayyah — a name borne by a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, which we note respectfully. It is one of the most familiar girls' names in Senegal (said 'roh-KY-ah').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Rokhaya — Wolof/Senegalese form of Arabic Ruqayyah

Variations

RuqayyahRokiaRukhaya

Nicknames

RokhKhaya

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Rokhaya…

Khadija— a like honoured name from the same tradition
Fatima— another name held in deep respect
Aisha— a warm, widely loved Muslim girls' name
Aminata— a like Senegalese favourite

Explore names like Rokhaya

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Rokhaya mean?

Rokhaya is a West African form of the Arabic Ruqayyah, borne by a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad; the Arabic name is often glossed 'gentle; rise.'

How do you pronounce Rokhaya?

It's said roh-KY-ah /roʊˈkaɪ.ɑː/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Rokhaya a boy or girl name?

Rokhaya is a girl's name.

How popular is Rokhaya?

Rokhaya is rare in the U.S., though it is very common in Senegal.

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