Zainab
Zainab is a Muslim girl name of Arabic origin, meaning “A fragrant desert plant; ornament”.
| Meaning | A fragrant desert plant; ornament |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Arabic |
| Written as | زينب |
| Pronunciation | ZAY-nab |
| Tradition | Muslim |
| Used in | Worldwide, Pakistan, Nigeria |
Meaning and origin of Zainab
Zainab is among the oldest and best-loved names for Muslim girls. Classical scholars identify zaynab as a sweet-smelling desert plant, while the popular reading father's ornament, from zayn plus ab, is a folk explanation. It belonged to the Prophet's ﷺ eldest daughter and to his granddaughter Zaynab bint ʿAlī, remembered for her courage after Karbala, as well as to two of his wives, Zaynab bint Khuzayma and Zaynab bint Jaḥsh.
Is Zainab a Muslim name?
Zainab is a classic Muslim name borne by women of the Prophet's ﷺ household, including his daughter, two Mothers of the Believers and his granddaughter.
How popular is Zainab?
Used across the whole Muslim world, Zainab is the standard spelling in South Asia and Nigeria.
Gifts with the name Zainab
- Zainab name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Zainab baby gifts (Amazon)
- Muslim baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Zainab
Names similar to Zainab
More Muslim girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zainab mean?
Zainab means 'A fragrant desert plant; ornament'. It is of Arabic origin.
Is Zainab a Muslim name?
Zainab is a classic Muslim name borne by women of the Prophet's ﷺ household, including his daughter, two Mothers of the Believers and his granddaughter.
How do you pronounce Zainab?
Zainab is pronounced ZAY-nab.
Is Zainab a boy or girl name?
Zainab is usually a girl name.