Rima is a feminine given name of multifaceted origin, most prominently traced to the Arabic rīmah, signifying “white antelope,” and echoed in Sanskrit sources where it conveys notions of “pleasing” or “white.” Its succinct phonetic form—REE-muh (/riˌmə/)—and its cross‐cultural etymological layers have fostered adoption within Middle Eastern literary canons, South Asian vernaculars, and, increasingly, within Anglo-American naming conventions. An analytical survey of United States Social Security data underscores Rima’s enduring yet modest presence: after appearing sporadically in single digits during the early twentieth century, the name experienced periodic surges—most notably in the mid-1980s and early 2000s—and secured a ranking of 925th among newborn girls in 2024. This combination of historical depth, global resonance, and phonological clarity renders Rima an appealing choice for parents seeking a name that is at once elegant, culturally rich, and quietly distinctive.
| Rima Fakih Slaiby is a Lebanese-born American beauty queen and former wrestler who became the first Arab American woman crowned Miss USA in 2010. |
| Rima Abdul Malak is a French politician and newspaper executive who served as Minister of Culture from 2022 to 2024. |
| Rima Alamuddin was a Lebanese and Swiss writer and one of the first Arab women to publish in English. |
| Rima Zeidan is a Taiwanese-Lebanese presenter, model and actress who won the Golden Horse Award for Best New Performer for Missing Johnny. |