Himyarite Kingdom
"the Merciful" definitely is. As the terms "Raḥmān" ("the merciful," a divine epithet), "the God of Israel", and the "Lord of Judah", can also be seen in 6th and 7th centuries inscriptions of Jewish Yemeni Himyarite Kingdom. The Quraish appeared to be confused as to why Muhammad used this term. The pagan, Suhail ibn Amr, asked Muhammad to replace his insignia, "By the Name of God, Al-Rahman, the most Merciful," "(b-ismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīmi)" with "By Your Name O Allah!" "(b-ismika allahum!)" Furthermore, Suhail said, "As for 'Rahman,' by Allah, I do not know what it means." It is thus unlikely an elative of Raḥim.