Fatima is an Arabic name from the root f-ṭ-m, “to wean” or “to abstain”, usually explained as “one who weans”. It is loved as the name of Fatimah al-Zahra (may Allah be pleased with her), the youngest daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In 2025 Fatima was 79th among girls in England and Wales.
What does Fatima mean?
The root f-ṭ-m means to wean a baby, and by extension to hold back or abstain. Some scholars gave the name a spiritual meaning: one who is kept away from wrongdoing. Fatima’s title al-Zahra means “the radiant” or “the shining one”, and is itself used as a name (see Zara).
How do you pronounce Fatima?
Say FAA-ti-ma, with the stress on the first, long syllable. The “t” is a heavy Arabic ṭ, said with the tongue a little further back. Many British speakers say fa-TEE-ma, which is common but less close to the Arabic.
How do you spell Fatima? Spellings and variants
- Fatima and Fatimah: the main UK spellings.
- Fatma (Turkish), Fatemeh (Persian), Fadumo (Somali), Fatoumata and Fatou (West Africa).
The town of Fátima in Portugal, known for its shrine, is said to take its name from a Moorish princess called Fatima.
How popular is Fatima in the UK?
Fatima has been in the top 100 girls’ names in England and Wales for years. In 2025, 598 girls were named Fatima, ranking it 79th.
| Spelling | Rank in 2025 | Babies in 2025 | Change since 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatima | 79 | 598 | down 3 places |
Fatimah al-Zahra (may Allah be pleased with her)
Fatimah was the youngest daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and his first wife, Khadijah. She grew up in Makkah during the hardest early years of Islam, and is remembered for standing by her father when he was mistreated. In Madinah she married Ali ibn Abi Talib, and their children included Hasan, Husayn and Zainab.
The Prophet’s love for her is recorded in many hadith. He said, “Fatimah is a part of me” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3714), and told her that she would be the leader of the women of Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 3623–3624). She lived simply, grinding grain by hand; when she asked for a servant, the Prophet taught her instead to say “Subhan Allah” and “Alhamdulillah” 33 times and “Allahu Akbar” 34 times before sleeping (Sahih al-Bukhari 3705), a practice many families still teach their children at bedtime. She died in Madinah a few months after her father, in 632.
Our Islamic bedtime routine includes this dhikr, often called the tasbih of Fatimah.
What middle names go with Fatima?
What are nicknames for Fatima?
Fati and Tima are common, and Arabic-speaking families often say Fatoum.
What are good sibling names for Fatima?
- Sisters: Zainab, Khadijah, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum (her sisters’ names)
- Brothers: Ali, Hasan, Husayn, Hamza
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What does Fatima mean in Islam?
Fatima comes from the Arabic root f-ṭ-m, “to wean” or “to abstain”, so it means “one who weans” or “one who abstains”. It is chosen for Fatimah al-Zahra, the Prophet’s daughter.
Who was Fatima in Islam?
Fatimah al-Zahra was the youngest daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and Khadijah, the wife of Ali and the mother of Hasan, Husayn and Zaynab. She died in Madinah a few months after her father, in 632.
Is Fatima in the Qur’an?
No, Fatima is not named in the Qur’an. Muslims choose it for Fatimah al-Zahra, whose virtues are recorded in sahih hadith, such as “Fatimah is a part of me” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3714).
How popular is Fatima in the UK?
In 2025, 598 girls were named Fatima in England and Wales, making it the 79th most popular girls’ name and one of the few Arabic names in the top 100 (ONS). That is about 1 in 476 girls.
Is Fatima a lucky name?
Islam does not treat names as lucky (Sahih al-Bukhari 5776). Fatima is chosen out of love for the Prophet’s daughter, whom he called the leader of the women of Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 3623–3624).
What is the tasbih of Fatimah?
Saying “Subhan Allah” 33 times, “Alhamdulillah” 33 times and “Allahu Akbar” 34 times before sleeping, which the Prophet taught his daughter Fatimah (Sahih al-Bukhari 3705).
Is it Fatima or Fatimah?
Both are transliterations of فاطمة. Fatima is the more common spelling in England and Wales, where it ranked 79th in 2025 (ONS); Fatimah shows the final Arabic letter.
What are nicknames and middle names for Fatima?
Fati, Tima and Fatoum are common nicknames. Popular double names include Fatima Zahra, after her title al-Zahra, Fatima Maryam and Fatima Noor.