What is the meaning behind your username?

[Rayaan]

My username - which is also my real name - comes from the Arabic name "Ar-Rayyaan" (or "Al-Rayyaan") which per Islam is one of the eight gates of Paradise. Only those who observe fasting will enter through it. I should also mention that the English writing of this foreign name has variant spellings like Rayan, Rayyan, Rayyaan, Rayann, Rayanne, Reyann, Rayaan, or whatever, but it's the same word in Arabic.

As stated in a Hadith:

Narrated Sahl (ra) : The Prophet (sws – peace be upon him) said,

"Indeed, there is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayaan. On the Day of Resurrection, those who fasted will enter it and none except them will enter. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to fast?’ They will arise and none except them will enter it. After their entry, the gate will be closed and none will enter it."

[Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 120]

It can also mean something that is well-watered, lush, and beautiful:

Many Muslims have heard this hadith, but most don’t know the meaning of this name, “Ar-Rayyaan”. In fact I was at the masjid recently for a Ramadan class and I asked the Imam this question and he did not know. So when I got home I looked it up: the linguistic meaning of Ar-Rayyaan is something that is well-watered, and therefore lush, succulent and beautiful…

http://islamicsunrays.com/tag/al-rayan/

Al-Rayyan (another different spelling, but same word in Arabic) is also the name of a city in the state of Qatar.

It also means "the source of irrigation."

Al-Rayyan (Arabic: الريان‎) is the largest municipality in the state of Qatar. Al Rayyan means 'the source of irrigation' and as per Islam it also means 'a door in heaven' or 'one of the Gates of Paradise' .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Rayyan

It is also the name of a small village in Mecca, Saudi Arabia:

Ar Rayyan is a place with a very small population in the province of Makkah, Saudi Arabia which is located in the continent/region of Asia.

Cities, towns and places near Ar Rayyan include El Rayana, `Ayn ar Rayyan, Al Mubarak and Al Umbarak.

http://www.gomapper.com/travel/where-is/...cated.html

It's not over yet. The name also means "clever" or "brilliant" (in Arabic). It has the same meaning in Old English as well.

In Sanskrit, Rayan means "little prince." In India, it refers to a person with authority. In Jewish language, it means "Graceful." In the Persian language, it means "wise" (Ray meaning "wisdom") and it also means '"fragrant herb" or "sweet-scented herb."

In Arabic, the name is Rayyan used, meaning "clever," or "brilliant." Although it is often confused with the name Reyhan, it is distinctly different, carrying different meanings. Rayan is a first name given to males and females in the Islamic world, especially among the Arabs. In the Persian language it also means 'fragrant herb' or 'sweet scented herb'. In Arabic, 'sweet scented herb' is Rayhaan. Rayhaan is found in Surah Rahman, ayah 12; and Surah Waqi'ah, ayah 89.

Ray in Persian means "wisdom" (which comes from Middle Persian verb Raynitan) and Rayan means "wise" (which comes from Avestan word "Raonat") and is a first name given to males in Persia and Iran. It is different from Arabic Word "Rayhaan".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayan


So many meanings ...