Find out how popular the first name Suleica has been for the last 1 years (from 1993 to 1993) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Suleica by gender

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

For the most recent data in 1993, there were 8 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Suleica.

The history of the first name Suleica

The name Suleica is of Arabic origin and it is a variant of the name Zuleika or Zulaikha, which means "she who is very beautiful" or "brilliant." The name can be traced back to the 7th century and is derived from the Arabic root words "zal" meaning "to be bright or brilliant" and "ka" which is a feminine suffix.

The name Suleica first appeared in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, where it was the name of the wife of Potiphar, an Egyptian official. According to the story, Zulaikha fell in love with Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) and tried to seduce him, but he resisted her advances. This story is also mentioned in the Bible, although the name used there is different.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Suleica was in the 9th century, when a woman named Suleica was a renowned poet and scholar in the court of the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mu'tasim in Baghdad. She was known for her expertise in literature and linguistics.

In the 13th century, a woman named Suleica was the wife of the famous Moorish poet and philosopher, Ibn Arabi. She was said to be an inspiration for his mystical writings and was revered for her intellect and spiritual guidance.

Another notable figure with the name Suleica was a 16th-century Ottoman princess who was the daughter of Sultan Selim II. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her support of various charitable causes.

In the 19th century, Suleica was the name of a character in a famous German novella called "The Bride from Abydos" by the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The story was inspired by the legend of Zulaikha and Prophet Yusuf, and it contributed to the popularity of the name in Europe.

Throughout history, the name Suleica has been associated with beauty, grace, and intelligence, and it has been borne by women from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. While not as common in modern times, it remains a unique and intriguing name with a rich historical and literary heritage.

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

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

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