Find out how popular the first name Zaviya has been for the last 1 years (from 2021 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zaviya by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zaviya.

The history of the first name Zaviya

The given name Zaviya has its origins in the Arabic language, tracing back to the 7th century CE during the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. The name is derived from the Arabic word "zawiya," which means a corner or a nook, often referring to a small room or corner in a mosque used for prayer or meditation.

In the early days of Islamic civilization, zawiya also referred to a small religious school or a hospice for Sufi Muslims, who practiced a spiritual and ascetic form of Islam. The name Zaviya may have been given to individuals associated with these zawiya institutions, either as students, teachers, or caretakers.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zaviya can be found in the writings of the renowned Muslim scholar and traveler, Ibn Battuta (1304-1369 CE). In his famous travelogue, "The Rihla," he mentions visiting several zawiya establishments during his extensive journeys across the Islamic world.

Throughout history, the name Zaviya has been borne by several notable individuals, including:

1. Zaviya al-Ansari (died 628 CE), a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the early Muslim converts from the Ansar tribe in Medina.
2. Zaviya ibn Abi Sufyan (died 683 CE), a military commander and governor during the Umayyad Caliphate, known for his campaigns in North Africa.
3. Zaviya al-Baghdadi (1020-1098 CE), a renowned Sufi scholar and poet from Baghdad, known for his mystical poetry and teachings.
4. Zaviya al-Maghribi (1215-1283 CE), a Moroccan Sufi saint and founder of the Zawiya al-Maghribiya, a prominent Sufi order in North Africa.
5. Zaviya al-Maridini (1835-1903 CE), an influential religious scholar and reformer from Damascus, known for his efforts to modernize Islamic education and promote women's rights.

While the name Zaviya has its roots in the Islamic tradition, it has transcended religious boundaries and has been adopted by various cultures and communities, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, where it has been imbued with spiritual and intellectual connotations.

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

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