Find out how popular the first name Mekka has been for the last 42 years (from 1976 to 2017) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mekka by gender

Based on the last 42 years of data, Mekka is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 90% of people named Mekka being female.

For the most recent data in 2017, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Mekka.

It's also interesting to see that despite Mekka being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2017 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Mekka.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 5 baby boys were named Mekka in 2017, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Mekka

The name Mekka has its origins in the ancient Arabic language, tracing back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the name of the holy city of Mecca in present-day Saudi Arabia, which is revered as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the spiritual heart of Islam. The city's name itself is believed to come from the Arabic word "makka," meaning "a place of great sanctuary or resort."

In Islamic tradition, Mecca holds immense significance as the site of the Kaaba, a sacred cube-shaped structure that serves as the direction of prayer for Muslims worldwide. The name Mekka is closely associated with this religious and cultural legacy, imbuing it with a sense of reverence and spiritual connection.

The earliest recorded use of the name Mekka can be traced back to the 7th century, during the early days of the Islamic faith. It is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as well as in various historical accounts and chronicles from that era.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Mekka. One of the earliest was Mekka bint Humayd (594-665 CE), a renowned Arab poet and one of the few female poets of the pre-Islamic era whose works have survived. Another notable bearer was Mekka al-Mukarramah (1136-1216 CE), a celebrated Islamic scholar and jurist from Mecca who made significant contributions to the study of Sharia law.

In the 19th century, Mekka al-Zahrani (1815-1897) was a prominent Saudi Arabian religious leader and reformer who advocated for a return to the original teachings of Islam. Mekka Seri Negara (1853-1928) was a Malay princess and political figure who played a crucial role in the affairs of the Sultanate of Johor during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

More recently, Mekka Lekakov (1909-1995) was a renowned Chechen writer, poet, and playwright who made significant contributions to the development of Chechen literature and culture in the Soviet era.

The name Mekka continues to be used across various cultures and regions, particularly in the Muslim world, carrying with it a deep-rooted connection to Islamic history and tradition.

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 Mekka was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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