Amina
/ˈʔaː.mi.na/
Amina derives from the Arabic root ʾamina (أمن), meaning “safe” or “secure.” The name is closely related to Amin (trustworthy), both stemming from a root that conveys faithfulness and protection.
In Islamic tradition, Amina bint Wahb was the mother of the Prophet Muhammad, lending the name profound religious significance across the Muslim world.
Amina’s usage extends beyond Arabic-speaking countries. In West Africa, particularly among Hausa, Yoruba, and Somali communities, Amina is one of the most common girls’ names.
What the name Amina means
The historical Queen Amina of Zazzau (now Zaria, Nigeria), who ruled in the 16th century, is celebrated as a warrior queen in West African tradition.
In the United States, Amina ranked No. 307 in 2024 with 1,000 births. The name reached its peak position of No. 271 in 2017 and has remained within the top 350 since 2015, reflecting consistent rather than fluctuating appeal.
The name’s 3-syllable structure (ah-MEE-nah) with its open vowels gives it a melodic quality that crosses linguistic boundaries. Amina is recognized and pronounceable in Arabic, Turkish, Swahili, Hausa, French, and English without modification.
Variant spellings include Ameena and Aminah (the latter preserving the Arabic ta marbuta ending). In Turkish, the form Emine is standard. Bosnian and Albanian communities also use Amina frequently.
The name’s growth in the U.S. reflects increasing diversity in American naming practices, with Arabic and African-origin names gaining visibility beyond their traditional communities.
Amina benefits from sounding familiar to English speakers while carrying centuries of historical weight.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Amina
Amina - similar names
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