The nameFatima
Fatima is a girl's name of Arabic origin meaning "one who abstains". The name of the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, it is common across the Muslim world.
- Girl's name
- Arabic
Meaning
Fatima comes from the Arabic fatama, "to wean, to abstain".
Origin
Arabic. Fatima al-Zahra was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and the wife of Ali. The Portuguese town of Fátima, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in 1917, was named after a Moorish princess.
History
Fatima is common in North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. It reached the top 80 in England and Wales.
Did you know?
- Fatima al-Fihri founded the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez in 859, often described as the oldest university still operating.
Famous people named Fatima
- Fatima al-Zahra, daughter of the Prophet
- Fatima al-Fihri, founder of the University of al-Qarawiyyin
- Fatima Whitbread, javelin thrower
Popularity of the name Fatima
Fatima in the United States
Fatima was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 13,624 births over the decade, 36% of all recorded babies named Fatima. Its rise began around 1975, and it peaked in 2007. Half of all babies named Fatima in the United States were born before 2007, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 901 births a year.
Fatima in the United Kingdom
Fatima was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 5,017 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Fatima. Half of all babies named Fatima in the United Kingdom were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 556 births a year.
Fatima in France
Fatima in Belgium
Fatima in Austria
Fatima in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Fatima
Names from the same generation as Fatima, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Fatima? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Fatima with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Fatima side by side with the name of your choice.
Fatima in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Fatima mean?
Fatima comes from the Arabic fatama, "to wean, to abstain".
What is the origin of the name Fatima?
Arabic. Fatima al-Zahra was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and the wife of Ali. The Portuguese town of Fátima, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared in 1917, was named after a Moorish princess.
Is Fatima a girl's or a boy's name?
Fatima is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Fatima?
In 2024, Fatima was the 316th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 972 births.
What are the variants of the name Fatima?
Variants and related names of Fatima include Fatma, Fatou and Fatoumata.
What are good sibling names for Fatima?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Nina, Carmen, Salma and Heidi for a sister, Omar, Andre, Ahmad and Malik for a brother.
Who are famous people named Fatima?
Fatima al-Zahra, daughter of the Prophet; Fatima al-Fihri, founder of the University of al-Qarawiyyin; Fatima Whitbread, javelin thrower.