Rayan
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For the tree, see Manilkara hexandra.
This article is about the Islamic name Rayan. For a similar name, see the (unrelated) Ryan (given name).
Rayan or Rayyan (Arabic: ريِّان) is the name to one of Islam's Heaven gate through which only the observers of Ramadan would enter on the Day of Resurrection.[1]
Given name
Rayan is a first name given to males in the Muslim world, especially in the Middle East among the Arabs. Rayan is also sometimes used among the Persian-speaking people as a derivative of Rayhan, which in the Arabic language refers to a "fragrant plant" in Heaven. It is mentioned in Sura Ar-Rahman (the "scented herb" in Ayah number 12) and Sura Al-Waqiah (Ayah number 89) of the Qur'an.[Quran 55:012] In the Persian language it also means 'fragrant herb' or 'sweet scented herb'.[2]
Rayan in India
In India, Rayan refers to a person with authority.[citation needed] The term came to southern India through trading with Arab merchants on the coasts of Kerala and Tamil-Nadu. In the Chola, Chera and Pallava dynasties of southern India, the title of Rayan/Rayar was bestowed upon those who had fought valiantly in battle.[citation needed] Some of their descendants carry forth the surname today.[citation needed]
Rayan in Spain
With the word 'Rey' in Spanish meaning King, [3] its thought that the name Rayan (Rey-an) also originated from Spain (the variant Ryan also means 'little King' in Irish). [4]