Rehman

Rehman is a given name and surname used in South Asia and among Muslim communities worldwide. It is a variant of Rahman, derived from the Arabic word Rahman, meaning the merciful. In Islamic tradition, Rahman is one of the 99 names of God, and the name is widely chosen to express virtues of compassion and benevolence.

The spelling Rehman is common in Urdu, Persian, and related naming practices, and it is one of several transliterations including Rahman, Rahmaan, and Rehmaan. As a surname, Rehman may originate as a patronymic derived from an ancestor or relative named Rahman or Rehman.

Geographic and cultural distribution: Rehman is particularly prevalent in Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It also appears among South Asian diasporas in the Middle East, Europe, and North America, where spelling may reflect local orthography or immigration histories.

Usage notes: In different languages, the name may be rendered with varying diacritics or vowel lengths, but the underlying meaning remains linked to mercy and compassion. It is commonly used by Muslim families but may also be found among non-Muslim populations in areas with strong Arabic or Urdu influence.

Notable bearers: The name is borne by many public figures across fields such as politics, literature, sports, and the arts in South Asia and the global diaspora.

See also: Rahman (name).