Zulaikha first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Zulaikha has been for the last 7 years (from 2017 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Zulaikha

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "bright, brilliant, fair woman".

Popularity of Zulaikha by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Zulaikha is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zulaikha.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 7
2022 0 5
2021 0 11
2017 0 6

The history of the first name Zulaikha

The name Zulaikha has its origins in the Arabic language, tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Arabic root word "zulk," which means "brightness" or "radiance." The name is believed to have been inspired by the story of Zulaikha, a prominent figure in Islamic literature and a character mentioned in the Quran.

In the Quran, Zulaikha is portrayed as the wife of al-Aziz, a high-ranking official in ancient Egypt. She is depicted as a woman of great beauty and virtue who faced temptation but ultimately remained steadfast in her faith and values. The story of Zulaikha and her unwavering commitment to righteousness has been a source of inspiration for Muslims throughout history.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zulaikha can be found in the Persian epic poem "Yusuf and Zulaikha," written by the renowned poet Jami in the 15th century. This literary work further popularized the name and its association with the Islamic narrative.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Zulaikha. One such individual was Zulaikha Begum, the daughter of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and a prominent figure in the 17th century Mughal court. Another was Zulaikha Unayatun Nisa, a 16th-century Mughal princess and daughter of the Emperor Akbar.

In the realm of literature, Zulaikha Mawahib was a renowned 18th-century Arabic poet and scholar from Yemen. Her poetic works and contributions to Arabic literature have been widely celebrated.

Moving forward in time, Zulaikha Pasha (1842-1932) was an influential Egyptian feminist and writer who played a significant role in advocating for women's rights and education in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

More recently, Zulaikha Sharif (1944-2019) was a prominent Pakistani artist and educator, known for her vibrant and captivating artwork that often explored themes of identity, culture, and spirituality.

The name Zulaikha has been cherished and embraced by various cultures, particularly in the Middle East and South Asia, where it has held significant cultural and religious significance for centuries. Its connection to the Islamic narrative and its evocation of radiance and virtue have made it a beloved choice for parents seeking a name with rich historical and spiritual associations.

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

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

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"Zulaikha first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 20, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/zulaikha-meaning-and-history/.

"Zulaikha first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/zulaikha-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 20 May, 2025

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

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