The given name Abdullahi is of Arabic origin and has its roots in the Islamic faith. It is a combination of two words, "Abd" meaning servant or slave, and "Allah" meaning God. Therefore, the name Abdullahi translates to "servant of Allah" or "slave of God."

This name gained prominence during the early days of Islam, particularly in the 7th century, as it reflected the devotion and submission of believers to the one God, Allah. It was a common practice among Muslims to name their children with names that carried religious significance and expressed their faith.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Abdullahi can be found in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. There are numerous references to individuals who were referred to as "Abd Allah," which is the Arabic version of the name Abdullahi.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Abdullahi. One of the most prominent was Abdullahi ibn Abi Qahafa, commonly known as Abu Bakr, who was a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad and the first Caliph of the Islamic empire after the Prophet's death, ruling from 632 to 634 CE.

Another significant figure was Abdullahi ibn Mas'ud, a revered companion of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the earliest scholars of Islam. He was highly respected for his knowledge of the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet, and played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting Islamic traditions.

In the 18th century, Abdullahi Dan Fodio, a prominent Islamic scholar and revolutionary, led a successful jihad against the Hausa rulers of northern Nigeria. He established the Sokoto Caliphate, a powerful Islamic empire that ruled over a large part of present-day Nigeria and neighboring regions.

In the modern era, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed was a prominent Somali politician and military leader who served as the second President of Somalia from 2004 to 2008, playing a significant role in the country's transition to democracy.

Another notable figure was Abdullahi Ibrahim al-Houthi, a Zaidi-Shia religious leader and founder of the Houthi movement in Yemen, which has been engaged in an ongoing conflict with the Yemeni government and its allies since 2014.