Abdurrahman is a masculine given name of Arabic origin. It is composed of two elements: "abd" which means "slave" or "servant," and "ar-Rahman," one of the 99 names of Allah in Islam, meaning "the Most Merciful." Therefore, Abdurrahman translates to " slave of the Most Merciful."
The name Abdurrahman has a rich history dating back to the early centuries of Islam. It was borne by several notable figures throughout Islamic history, including Abdurrahman III (889-961 AD), the first caliph of Córdoba in Muslim Spain, who is remembered for his patronage of arts and culture during his reign.
Another prominent figure with this name is Abdurrahman Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406 AD), a renowned Islamic philosopher, historian, and sociologist from Tunis. His work "Muqaddimah" ("Introduction") is considered one of the seminal works in the fields of sociology and history.
The name Abdurrahman has also been popular among royalty and nobility throughout the Muslim world. For instance, Abdurrahman Khan (1857-1901 AD) was the emir of Afghanistan from 1880 to 1901.
In modern times, the name continues to be widely used in countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Indonesia, Pakistan, and Nigeria. It is often bestowed upon children in the hope that they will grow up to embody the qualities associated with Allah's mercy and compassion.
The name Abdurrahman has seen a notable increase in popularity over the years in the United States. With only six births recorded in 1982, it was relatively uncommon during that time period. However, by 1995, there were 16 births, indicating a growing trend.
This upward trajectory continued into the late 1990s and early 2000s, with peaks of 23 births in 2000 and 27 births in 2002. The year 2006 marked a significant turning point, with a substantial increase to 43 births, demonstrating a strong interest in this name.
The popularity of Abdurrahman has remained steady since then, oscillating between the low thirties to mid-forties each year from 2010 onwards. The most recent data shows that there were 42 births recorded in 2023, indicating a consistent level of usage over time.
Overall, the total number of births with the name Abdurrahman in the United States from 1982 to 2023 stands at 977. This figure underscores the enduring popularity and recognition of this name across several decades.