Rashida Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: rah-SHEE-dah //ræˈʃiːdə//
Origin: Arabic; Swahili
Meaning: Arabic: 'prosperous'; Swahili: 'successful'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Rashida has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "رشيد" (rashid), which means "rightly guided" or "wise." This etymological foundation reflects a significant cultural and linguistic heritage, as Arabic has influenced many languages, particularly through the spread of Islam and the Arabic script. The name Rashida entered English primarily through transliteration from Arabic, often associated with Islamic culture and traditions, particularly during the 20th century as Arabic names became more recognized in Western contexts.
Historically, the name Rashida can be linked to various notable figures in Islamic history. For instance, the term "Rashidun" refers to the first four caliphs of Islam, who are often regarded as the "Rightly Guided" leaders following the death of the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century.
This period is significant in Islamic history, marking the expansion of the Islamic state and the establishment of foundational practices and beliefs. The name Rashida, therefore, carries connotations of wisdom and guidance, resonating with the qualities attributed to these early leaders.
Culturally, the name Rashida is often associated with positive attributes such as intelligence, insight, and moral integrity. In various Islamic traditions, names are chosen not only for their meanings but also for the virtues they embody, making Rashida a name that reflects a desirable character.
Additionally, diminutive forms like Rasha may also be encountered, although Rashida remains the more formal version. The enduring significance of the name is evident in its continued use across different cultures and communities, symbolizing a connection to heritage and the values of guidance and wisdom.
Famous people named Rashida
In this section, you will find notable people named Rashida. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Rashida who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Rashida who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Rashida Jones is an actress and producer best known for Parks and Recreation, The Office, and Celeste and Jesse Forever.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Rashida, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Rashida. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Rashida was first seen in the United States in 1964.
Rashida has ranked as high as #775 nationally, which occurred in 1977, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New Jersey.
In the past 5 years the name Rashida has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Rashida is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Rashida was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Rashida (2002)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 8 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Rashida.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2002 | 19 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2000 | 18 |
| 1999 | 18 |
| 1998 | 24 |
| 1997 | 35 |
| 1996 | 42 |
| 1995 | 26 |
| 1994 | 52 |
| 1993 | 66 |
| 1992 | 93 |
| 1991 | 64 |
| 1990 | 115 |
| 1989 | 94 |
| 1988 | 73 |
| 1987 | 70 |
| 1986 | 93 |
| 1985 | 79 |
| 1984 | 77 |
| 1983 | 105 |
| 1982 | 124 |
| 1981 | 121 |
| 1980 | 153 |
| 1979 | 156 |
| 1978 | 204 |
| 1977 | 338 |
| 1976 | 202 |
| 1975 | 144 |
| 1974 | 101 |
| 1973 | 69 |
| 1972 | 18 |
| 1971 | 24 |
| 1970 | 10 |
| 1969 | 7 |
| 1964 | 5 |