Last Name Rida

The surname Rida is of Arabic origin and is derived from various sources. One possible origin is from the Arabic given name "Ridha," which means contentment or satisfaction. Another possibility is that it could be a shortened form of names containing the element "Ar-Ridha" or "Al-Ridha," which refer to Imam Ali ar-Ridha, the eighth imam in Twelver Shia Islam. It's also possible that the surname Rida is a variant or adaptation of other Arabic names when they were transcribed into European languages over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Rida

The meaning and origin of the last name Rida

The surname Rida is primarily of Arabic origin and has its roots in the Middle East. It's derived from the Arabic name "Abd ar-Rahman," which translates to "Servant of the Merciful." The name was borne by several significant figures in Islamic history, such as the Andalusian poet Abd al-Rahman al-Tha'labi and the 10th century caliph Abd ar-Rahman III. Over time, it evolved into a surname due to various factors, including the expansion of Islam, population growth, and administrative reforms during the Ottoman Empire era. The spelling variations of the name include Ridaa, Radi, Raida, and Rayda, reflecting its adaptation to different languages and cultures as families with this surname migrated across the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Rida

The surname Rida has a predominant distribution across various regions primarily in the Middle East and North Africa due to its Arabic origin. It is most frequently found in countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Palestine. Additionally, there are significant numbers of individuals with the last name Rida in Iran and other parts of Asia where Islam has historically influenced naming practices. In Europe and North America, the distribution is relatively low but can be found among Arabic or Middle Eastern immigrant communities. The name may also occur sporadically among converts to Islam from these regions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Rida

The surname Rida has several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. In English, it can appear as Rida, Ryda, or Reeda. In Arabic, it can be written as الريدا (Al-Rida), رضا (Redha) or ريدا (Reidah). The name may also be found in other languages with slight modifications such as Rieda (Estonian), Ryda (Finnish), or Reyda (Icelandic). Variants like Raid, Raida, and Rayda can also be found, although they are less common. It's important to note that the spelling may vary based on factors such as regional dialects, personal preference, or historical influences.

Famous people with the last name Rida

Notable individuals with the surname Rida include:

1. Imam Muhammad Abduh Rida (1844-1905), an Egyptian Islamic scholar and reformer who served as the Grand Mufti of Egypt from 1899 until his death. He was a key figure in the modernist movement, advocating for the integration of Islamic thought with contemporary scientific and philosophical ideas.

2. Rachid Rida (1865-1935), a Syrian scholar who was a disciple of Imam Abduh. Rida founded the journal Al-Manar in 1898, which became an influential platform for the propagation of Islamic modernism.

3. Cheb Khaled (real name Saad Ridouane Bekhtaoui, born 1963), a popular Algerian raï singer known for hits such as "Didi" and "C'est triste." He is often referred to as the "King of Raï" due to his significant influence on the genre.

4. Ahmed Rami (1958-2015), a French cartoonist who created the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Rami was murdered in the January 2015 attacks on the publication's office in Paris.

5. Shafik Gabr (born 1957), an Egyptian-American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Orascom Construction Industries and serves as Chairman of the Board for the American University in Cairo.

Genealogical research on the last name Rida

The surname Rida, originating from various regions including the Middle East and North Africa, is associated with Arabic, Persian, and Hebrew roots. In Arabic, "Rida" means "contentment," while in Persian it translates to "cloak" or "robe." The name can also be a variant of the Hebrew name Reuven, meaning "friend." Historically, the Rida family is believed to have originated in several locations such as Yemen, Syria, and Iraq. Notable figures with the last name Rida include Ibn al-Ridā, a renowned Shia scholar and theologian from Iraq in the 9th century, and Abdulaziz bin Abdallah Al Ridha, a former Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. The Rida family has migrated globally, with significant populations found in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, among others.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Rida"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 28 July 2025

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