Khadijah is an Arabic name, also spelled Khadija, meaning “premature child” or “born early”, from the root kh-d-j. It is loved as the name of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet Muhammad’s first wife and the first person to believe in him. In 2025 Khadija ranked 146th and Khadijah 216th in England and Wales.
What does Khadijah mean?
The Arabic root kh-d-j refers to a birth that comes early, so Khadijah means a child born before her time. It is an old Arabian name that was already in use before Islam, and it is chosen today not for its literal meaning but for the remarkable woman who carried it.
How do you pronounce Khadijah?
Say kha-DEE-ja. The “kh” is the Arabic letter khāʾ, a rough sound at the back of the mouth, like the “ch” in the Scottish “loch”. The stress falls on the long “ee”.
How do you spell Khadijah? Spellings and variants
- Khadija: the most popular spelling in England and Wales.
- Khadijah, Khadeeja, Khadijat (Nigeria).
- Hatice (Turkish), Khadiza (Bengali), Kadiatou (West Africa).
How popular is Khadijah in the UK?
Because the ONS counts every spelling separately, the name is split between Khadija and Khadijah. Together they were given to more than 500 girls in 2025.
| Spelling | Rank in 2025 | Babies in 2025 | Change since 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khadija | 146 | 340 | down 3 places |
| Khadijah | 216 | – | down 14 places |
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her)
Khadijah was a respected and successful merchant in Makkah, known for her honesty and good character. She employed the young Muhammad to lead a trading journey to Syria, was impressed by his trustworthiness, and proposed marriage to him. They married around the year 595, and she was the mother of all his children except Ibrahim.
When the first revelation came in the cave of Hira, the Prophet hurried home trembling, and Khadijah comforted him: “Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your family, you help the weak, you give to the poor, you honour your guests and you help people in hardship” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3). She was the first person to believe in his message, and she supported the Muslims with her wealth through the hardest years.
The Prophet said that the angel Jibril brought her greetings of peace from Allah and good news of a home in Paradise (Sahih al-Bukhari 3820). She died in Makkah around 619, in what became known as the Year of Sorrow, and the Prophet remembered her with love for the rest of his life.
Her story is a beautiful one to tell girls about faith, kindness and courage; see our Prophet Muhammad story for kids for the first revelation.
What middle names go with Khadijah?
What are nicknames for Khadijah?
Dija, Deeja and Khadi are the usual short forms.
What are good sibling names for Khadijah?
- Sisters: Fatima, Zainab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum (her daughters’ names)
- Brothers: Muhammad, Ali, Qasim, Abdullah
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What does Khadijah mean in Islam?
Khadijah means “premature child” or “born early” in Arabic. Muslims choose it for Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, the Prophet’s first wife and the first believer.
Who was Khadijah in Islam?
A respected Makkan merchant who married the Prophet Muhammad around 595, was the first to believe in his message and supported him through the early years. She died around 619.
Is Khadijah in the Qur’an?
Khadijah is not named in the Qur’an, but she is honoured in sahih hadith: the Prophet said the best of the women of this nation was Khadijah (Sahih al-Bukhari 3432), and Jibril brought her greetings of peace from her Lord (Sahih al-Bukhari 3820).
Is it Khadija or Khadijah?
Both are correct. In England and Wales in 2025, Khadija was given to 340 girls and ranked 146th, and Khadijah ranked 216th (ONS).
Is Khadijah a popular name in the UK?
Yes, when the spellings are added together: Khadija and Khadijah were given to more than 500 girls in England and Wales in 2025 (ONS), though the ONS ranks each spelling separately.
How do you pronounce Khadijah?
Say kha-DEE-ja. The “kh” is like the “ch” in the Scottish word “loch”. Dija, Deeja and Khadi are the usual short forms.
What titles did Khadijah have?
Like all the Prophet’s wives, she is called Umm al-Mu’minin, “Mother of the Believers” (33:6). She was also known as al-Tahirah, “the pure one”, for her character.
What are good middle names for Khadijah?
Khadijah Maryam, Khadijah Fatima, Khadijah Noor, Khadijah Zainab and Khadijah Amira are popular pairings.