An Arabic name meaning rising, ascent, or refinement; also borne in early Islamic history.
Ruqayya is one of the most historically significant names in the Islamic tradition, borne by one of the daughters of the Prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadijah. She married Uthman ibn Affan, who would later become the third Caliph of Islam, and her life is woven into the earliest history of the faith, including the first migration of Muslims to Abyssinia. Her name derives from the Arabic root *raqiya*, meaning to rise, ascend, or soar — and also carries associations with a protective incantation or charm, reflecting the layered richness of classical Arabic.
Across the Muslim world — from Morocco to Indonesia, from Senegal to Pakistan — Ruqayya has been a name of reverence and beauty for fourteen centuries. Its variant spellings are numerous: Ruqaiya, Ruqayyah, Rokaya, and Rokia all reflect different transliteration traditions. The Malian singer Rokia Traoré has brought a version of the name to international concert stages, while the name appears in historical chronicles, hadith literature, and classical poetry.
In the modern era, Ruqayya occupies a distinctive space: deeply traditional and religiously resonant, yet possessing a lyrical quality that transcends any single culture. For families seeking a name that anchors a child to Islamic heritage while carrying genuine historical depth, it remains a beloved choice. The soft cadence of its syllables — Ru-qay-ya — makes it as pleasing to the ear as it is rich in meaning.