Bakhita first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Bakhita has been for the last 1 years (from 2016 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Bakhita

A feminine Arabic name meaning "fortunate" or "bringer of good news".

Popularity of Bakhita by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Bakhita is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Bakhita.

Year Male Count Female Count
2016 0 5

The history of the first name Bakhita

The given name Bakhita originates from the Arabic language and culture, with its earliest known use dating back to the 19th century. It is derived from the Arabic word "bahiya," which means "fortunate" or "lucky." The name carries connotations of joy, happiness, and good fortune.

In the historical context, Bakhita gained widespread recognition due to its association with Saint Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese-born former slave who became a Canossian religious sister. She was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2000, and her remarkable life story has inspired many people around the world.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Bakhita was Josephine Bakhita herself, born around 1869 in Darfur, Sudan. She was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery, enduring immense hardships before eventually gaining her freedom and embracing Christianity.

Another notable figure named Bakhita was Bakhita al-Nayrab, a Syrian revolutionary and feminist activist who lived from 1900 to 1985. She played a significant role in the Syrian women's movement and advocated for women's rights and social reforms.

In the realm of literature, Bakhita is the name of a character in the novel "The Fortunes of Bakhita" by author Yakoob Yakoub. The book, published in 1996, explores themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the experiences of immigrants in Australia.

Moving to the field of politics, Bakhita Barka was a prominent Chadian politician who served as the Minister of Public Works and Urban Development in the 1990s. She actively participated in the democratization process of Chad and advocated for women's empowerment.

Lastly, Bakhita Shamsa was a Tanzanian actress and singer who gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s. She was known for her roles in various Swahili films and her contributions to the local music scene, becoming a cultural icon in her country.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Bakhita throughout history, each leaving their mark in different spheres of life, from religion and activism to literature, politics, and the arts.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Bakhita was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bakhita, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Bakhita first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/bakhita-meaning-and-history/.

"Bakhita first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/bakhita-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 2 August, 2025

Bakhita first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/bakhita-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.