Sawda first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Sawda has been for the last 14 years (from 2007 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Sawda

A feminine Arabic name meaning "most fortunate" or "blessed".

Popularity of Sawda by gender

Based on the last 14 years of data, Sawda is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Sawda.

Year Male Count Female Count
2020 0 6
2018 0 6
2017 0 5
2016 0 6
2015 0 7
2012 0 6
2007 0 5

The history of the first name Sawda

The name Sawda has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is believed to have derived from the Arabic word "sawda," which means "blackness" or "dark complexion." This name was common in the early days of Islam, particularly during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (570-632 AD).

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sawda is associated with Sawda bint Zam'a, who was one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad. She was born in Mecca around 610 AD and was among the first to embrace Islam. Her marriage to the Prophet is considered historically significant as it was a symbol of equality and unity among different tribes and social classes.

Another notable figure with the name Sawda was Sawda bint Abi Lahab, who lived during the same period as the Prophet Muhammad. She was the wife of Abu Lahab, one of the staunch opponents of Islam. Despite her husband's opposition, Sawda embraced Islam and remained steadfast in her faith.

In the later centuries, the name Sawda continued to be popular among Muslims, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. One prominent figure who bore this name was Sawda bint al-Mustakfi, a princess of the Abbasid Caliphate who lived in the 11th century AD. She was known for her patronage of arts and literature and played a significant role in the cultural life of Baghdad.

Another notable figure with the name Sawda was Sawda bint Malik al-Kurdi, a Kurdish poet and scholar who lived in the 12th century AD. She was renowned for her expertise in various fields, including literature, theology, and jurisprudence, and her works were widely celebrated in her time.

In more recent history, Sawda bint Utayq al-Utaybi (1939-2008) was a prominent Saudi Arabian writer and activist. She was one of the first women in Saudi Arabia to publish novels and short stories, and her works often explored the struggles and experiences of women in her society.

While the name Sawda has its roots in the Arab world, it has also been adopted by other cultures and languages over time. However, its historical significance and association with prominent figures in Islamic history remain a defining aspect of this name.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Sawda, 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!

"Sawda first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 25, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/sawda-meaning-and-history/.

"Sawda first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/sawda-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 25 May, 2025

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