Name of Allah · not used alone
Rahman: meaning and origin
رحمن- Meaning
- Most Merciful: ar-Rahman is a name of Allah alone
- Arabic
- رحمن
- Say it
- rah-MAAN
- Gender
- Not given to a person on its own
- Origin
- Name of Allah: not used alone
- Also spelled
- Rehman, Rahmaan
- Source
- Quran 55:1
Not a name for a child on its own. Scholars agree ar-Rahman is used for Allah only. Choose Abdur-Rahman, "servant of the Most Merciful", one of the two names most loved by Allah (Sahih Muslim 2132). See Abdur-Rahman.
Why it is kept for Allah
Scholars list a small number of Allah's names that are His alone and are never given to a person, including Allah, ar-Rahman, al-Khaliq, ar-Razzaq and al-Quddus. Joining them with ‘Abd- (servant of) turns them into some of the best names a child can have.
ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ
Surah Ar-Rahmaan, 55:1 · Read it with translation and audio
Related names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Rahman mean?
Most Merciful: ar-Rahman is a name of Allah alone.
How do you pronounce Rahman?
Say it as rah-MAAN; capitals mark the stressed syllable. In Arabic it is written رحمن.
Is Rahman in the Quran?
Yes, as a name of Allah, for example in Surah Ar-Rahmaan (55:1). That is why it is not given to a person on its own.
Can I name my child Rahman?
Not on its own. Choose Abdur-Rahman (عبد الرحمن), meaning servant of the Most Merciful, and call the child by the full name rather than shortening it to Rahman.
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