Girl
Arabic
3 syllables
Fatima
FAH-tee-mah
/ˈfætɪmə/
"She who abstains" — a name of sacred Islamic heritage, noble grace, and profound spiritual beauty
Fatima is one of the most beloved and sacred names in Islam, borne by Fatima al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and wife of Ali ibn Abi Talib. Her name comes from the Arabic root meaning 'one who weans' a child, suggesting nurturing care, or 'one who abstains' — a woman of virtue and self-discipline. Revered across the Muslim world and beyond, Fatima is also connected to the Marian apparitions at Fátima, Portugal, giving the name a unique status cherished by both Islamic and Catholic traditions.
Quick Facts
Letters6
SyllablesFa · ti · ma
GenderGirl
OriginArabic
Root WordFatama
MeaningOne who weans, captivating
PopularityPopular
Peak Year2015
Trend
→ Stable
Name DayMay 13
Nicknames
FatiTimaFatu
About the Name Fatima
Fatima derives from the Arabic root f-t-m meaning 'to wean' (a child from nursing) or 'to abstain.' The name is often interpreted as 'one who nurtures,' 'one who abstains from evil,' or 'captivating one.' In Islamic tradition, the deeper meaning carries connotations of virtue, purity, and devoted care — qualities exemplified by Fatima al-Zahra, the Prophet's daughter.
While Fatima is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition, it is also used by Catholics and Christians in connection with Our Lady of Fátima — the apparitions of the Virgin Mary at Fátima, Portugal in 1917. This gives the name a unique status shared by two major world religions. In Portugal and parts of Latin America, Fatima is sometimes a Catholic devotional name.
Fatima al-Zahra was the youngest daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadija. She married Ali ibn Abi Talib and was the mother of Hasan and Husayn. She is one of the most revered women in Islamic history, known for her piety, intellect, and suffering. In Shia Islam she holds special veneration. She is known by many honorifics including al-Zahra ('the radiant one') and al-Batul ('the pure').
Fatima is one of the most popular girl names in the world, consistently ranking among the top names in Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and Muslim communities globally. In the United States and United Kingdom it is in the Popular tier and rising, driven by growing Muslim communities and multicultural naming trends. It is one of the most globally used female names.
Fatima pairs beautifully with Arabic or Islamic middle names. Classic combinations include Fatima Zahra, Fatima Noor, Fatima Rose, Fatima Leila, and Fatima Amina. Arabic middles create a cultural cohesion that honors the name's heritage, while universal middles like Fatima Grace or Fatima Jade provide cross-cultural accessibility.
Our Lady of Fatima refers to apparitions of the Virgin Mary said to have appeared to three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal in 1917. The children reported seeing a woman describing herself as the Lady of the Rosary who urged prayer and penance. These apparitions became one of the most celebrated Marian events in Catholic history, and the shrine at Fátima is now one of the most visited Catholic pilgrimage sites in the world.
Personality of Fatima
Perceived character traits commonly associated with people named Fatima
Creativity
76%
Elegance
84%
Independence
82%
Intelligence
86%
Strength
88%
Warmth
90%
Famous People Named Fatima
F
Fatima al-Zahra
Daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, one of the most revered women in Islamic history
F
Fatima (Our Lady of Fatima)
Title of the Virgin Mary from the 1917 apparitions in Fátima, Portugal
F
Fatima Bhutto
Pakistani author and political commentator
F
Fatima Malik
Pakistani-British artist known for large-scale installations
F
Fatima Whitbread
British javelin champion and Olympic bronze medalist
Middle Names for Fatima
Beautiful combinations that flow well with Fatima
Fatima Zahra
Fatima Noor
Fatima Rose
Fatima Sarah
Fatima Leila
Fatima Amina
Fatima Jade
Fatima Grace
Fatima Celeste
Fatima Yasmin
Fatima Lina
Fatima Sofia
Names Similar to Fatima
Similar Meaning
Sibling Name Ideas
History of Fatima
605 CE
Fatima bint Muhammad born in Mecca, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad
632 CE
Fatima al-Zahra passes away, and veneration of her name spreads through the Islamic world
1917
Apparitions of the Virgin Mary reported at Fátima, Portugal, creating Catholic devotion to the name
2000
Fatima among the most popular girls' names in Morocco, Turkey, and Muslim communities worldwide
Numerology & Symbolism of Fatima
5
Destiny Number
Sum of all letters
2
Soul Urge
Sum of vowels
♍
Zodiac Affinity
Virgo
5
Lucky Number
Personal power digit
🎨
Lucky Color
Emerald Green
💎
Lucky Stone
Emerald
🌸
Lucky Flower
White Rose
Fatima Around the World
How Fatima is written in different languages and scripts
فاطمة
Arabic
ファーティマ
Japanese
Фатима
Russian
파티마
Korean
法蒂玛
Chinese
Φατιμά
Greek
फातिमा
Hindi
פאטימה
Hebrew
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