Fatima
/ˈfaː.tˤi.ma/
Fatima derives from the Arabic verb fatama (فطم), meaning “to abstain” or “to wean.” The name’s significance in Islamic tradition is immense: Fatima al-Zahra was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and his wife Khadija, the wife of Ali ibn Abi Talib
(the 4th caliph), and the mother of Hasan and Husayn.
She is regarded as the exemplary Muslim woman, particularly among Shia communities.
What the name Fatima means
Beyond Islam, the name gained Christian resonance through Our Lady of Fatima, the Marian apparition reported by 3 Portuguese shepherd children in the town of Fátima in 1917.
The town itself was named after a Moorish princess called Fatima who converted to Christianity during the Reconquista, creating a rare cross-religious bridge for the name.
In the United States, Fatima peaked at No. 227 in 2001 and currently ranks No. 316 in 2024 with 1,407 births. The name has maintained a position between No. 270 and No. 380 for the past 2 decades, showing steady rather than volatile usage.
Fatima is among the most internationally distributed girls’ names, appearing in the top 100 in countries spanning Morocco, Pakistan, Turkey, Portugal, Brazil, and Indonesia.
Each region brings slightly different pronunciation: FAH-tee-mah in Arabic, fah-TEE-mah in Portuguese, and FAT-ih-mah in English.
The name’s American usage spans both Muslim and Hispanic Catholic communities, reflecting its dual religious heritage. Portuguese and Brazilian immigrants contribute to its presence as well.
Variant forms include Fatimah (preserving the Arabic final letter), Fátima (Portuguese/Spanish with accent), and Fatoumata (West African). The Turkish form Fatma drops the final vowel entirely.
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 Fatima
Fatima - similar names
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