Rauf is a male name of Arabic origin, meaning "Compassionate" and "Loving". It is an exaggerated form of the name Raif, which signifies "kind, affectionate, benign", "sympathetic, merciful", and "compassionate". Derived from the Arabic verb "ra’afa" meaning "to have compassion for, have mercy upon, be merciful toward", Rauf is also one of the names of Allah, denoting "the Kind" and "the Ever-Compassionate". The name has been borne by notable individuals like Rauf Denktaş, the first president of Northern Cyprus, and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, the American basketball player. Rauf holds significance in both given and surnames, and its rich Arabic roots emphasize kindness and compassion.