| Zaynab | Rania | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Fragrant flower | Gazing intently; beholding |
| Origin | Arabic | arabic |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | ZAY-nab | RAH-nee-ah |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1982 | 1963 |
| Peak year | 2016 (146) | 2006 (128) |
| In 2025 | 144 | 65 |
| Trend | Rising | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Zaynab | Rania |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 774 | 473 |
| 2010s | 1,051 | 1,024 |
| 2000s | 466 | 871 |
| 1990s | 181 | 298 |
| 1980s | 37 | 264 |
| 1970s | 0 | 176 |
| 1960s | 0 | 29 |
Zaynab is the name of a fragrant flowering plant; borne by daughters of the Prophet.
Rania (رانية, raniya) derives from the root r-n-w and means 'gazing, looking intently', often with a sense of admiring or longing contemplation. It is widely known today through Queen Rania of Jordan.
Zaynab is more popular than Rania today: about 144 US babies were given the name Zaynab in 2025, compared with 65 named Rania.
Zaynab means Fragrant flower (Arabic origin), while Rania means Gazing intently; beholding (arabic origin).
In US records, Zaynab first appears in 1982 and Rania in 1963, so Rania has the longer recorded history.