Surname Rasheedi - Meaning and Origin

Rasheedi: What does the surname Rasheedi mean?

The last name Rasheedi is of Indian and Pakistani origin. The name is derived from the Arabic word ‘Rasheed’, which means ‘righteous’ or ‘pious’. It is commonly used in South Asian cultures and languages to indicate a person who is wise, respected, and esteemed.

This name has many variations including Rushdi, Rushdy,]. Rashedi, Rushdie, Ruchdie, Rashedy, and Ruchdi. In some cases, the name is adopted by members of other cultures as well, such as in the Persian and Urdu languages.

This last name is often used by members of the Muslim faith, as it has significant religious values. It is seen as a sign of respect for a religious leader and the importance of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh).

Rasheedi also reflects the values of a society which puts a high regard on right conduct, wisdom, and proper behavior. It is seen as a representation of the epitome of moral standards.

Those who bear this surname are often seen as wise individuals with great knowledge, who are highly respected and esteemed in their communities. They are leaders—often seen as mentors, teachers, and protectors, and their name is associated with great honor. They are role models and are looked up to by many.

Rasheedi is a surname which holds great weight and respect in many South Asian cultures. It reflects the values of a society which honors righteous conduct and good deeds.

Rasheedi: Where does the name Rasheedi come from?

The last name Rasheedi is most commonly found throughout the Middle East and South Asia, particularly in regions formerly under the Mughal and Persian Empires. It is particularly common in India and Pakistan, as well as in the Middle Eastern countries of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar. Furthermore, the surname is also found around the Arabian peninsula, including in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates.

The origins of the Rasheedi surname are unclear, though most research suggests that it originates from the Arabic word rais (meaning "chief" or "commander). As a result, it could indicate that those who took on the surname were powerful or important figures in ancient society. This is further reinforced by the fact that Rasheedis are often found as leaders and chieftains in many parts of the Middle East and South Asia.

The current population of people with the last name Rasheedi is estimated to be around 500,000. However, due to historical migrations, this population could be significantly larger and include individuals living outside of the mentioned regions. For example, Rasheedis have migrated to nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada in search of education, business opportunities, and better economic opportunities. Thus, the Rasheedi surname has spread around the world to many different countries.

Variations of the surname Rasheedi

The Rasheedi surname has its roots in India, where it has been documented as far back as the 1700s in Muslim records. It is also spelled as Rashedi, Rasheed, Rashid, Rashidi, Rasheid, and Rushdi. The variants of the spelling are Rishidi, Rasidi, Rushdy, and Raichedi.

Among the most well-known bearers of the surname is the celebrated Indian composer, music producer, and singer A. R. Rahman, who was born Dileep Kumar but took on the alias A. R. Rahman due to the widespread use of ‘Rasheedi’ as a surname.

The other notable bearer of the surname is the Ahmadi Muslim Omar Rashidi, a distinguished professor of Science and Engineering at Stanford University.

The spelling of the surname is commonly found in Indian names, especially among the Muslims living in the various regions and provinces. It is most likely derived from the title of the Islamic Prophet Mohammed's father, Abdullah, which also translates to ‘servant of God’ or ‘servant of Allah’.

The surname is also linked to various caste systems found in many parts of India, such as the Dhangar and Rathor caste of Upper India and Hyderabad respectively.

From the origin of its first bearers, the surname has spread to other continents and cultures. Variations of Rashidi are found in places as diverse as Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Algeria, and Egypt, among others.

In the United States, the surname has been documented since the early 1900s and is typically found among the Iraqi diaspora. Likewise, in the United Kingdom, some bearers of the surname are found amongst the British South Asian community.

In conclusion, the Rasheedi surname is an interesting and diverse one that has seen many iterations in both spelling and geography.

Famous people with the name Rasheedi

• Sachin Rasheedi: Cricket player and former cricketer who represented India in the 1986 Cricket World Cup.
• Fakhr-e-Alam Rasheedi: Pakistani singer, songwriter, actor, and host known for his impressive on-stage performances.
• Anwar Rasheedi: Pakistani Sufi Poet and writer, whose works have been highly acclaimed by scholars of the Sufi tradition.
• Ali Rasheedi: A famous Islamic scholar and television personality, he served as a vigilant and powerful defender of the faith.
• Fareed Rasheedi: One of the most famous actors in the history of Pakistani cinema, famous for his roles in such notable films as Maa Baap Kaaka and Tiyaan.
• Sadiqa Rasheedi: Member of the legislative assembly of Sindh, Pakistan, and an active advocate for women’s issues.
• Zain Rasheedi: Prominent Pakistani journalist and news anchor who worked for several major news networks.
• Khalid Rasheedi: Noted human rights lawyer and human rights activist, working with Amnesty International and numerous other organisations since 1982.
• Ali Bukhsh Rasheedi: Politician who has been a Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since August 2018.
• Marvi Rasheedi: Influential female journalist and news anchor, famous for her tough stances on current events.

Other surnames

Rasheed