Find out how popular the first name Zuleyma has been for the last 40 years (from 1984 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Zuleyma by gender

Based on the last 40 years of data, Zuleyma is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 22 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Zuleyma.

The history of the first name Zuleyma

The given name Zuleyma is of Arabic origin, derived from the name Zulaikha, which in turn comes from the Hebrew name Zillah. It is believed to have emerged around the 7th century CE, during the rise of Islam and the spread of Arabic culture across the Middle East and parts of Africa.

In Arabic tradition, Zulaikha is a prominent figure in the story of Yusuf (Joseph) from the Quran. She was the wife of Al-Aziz, a powerful Egyptian nobleman, who became infatuated with the prophet Yusuf due to his exceptional beauty and virtue. The name Zulaikha is often associated with temptation, desire, and unrequited love in Islamic literature.

The earliest known recorded use of the name Zuleyma dates back to the 9th century CE, when it appeared in various Arabic texts and historical records. One of the earliest notable figures with this name was Zuleyma bint Abi Daud, a renowned poet and scholar who lived in Cordoba, Spain, during the 10th century.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Zuleyma. These include Zuleyma Rosario (1969-), a Puerto Rican actress and television personality, and Zuleyma Rivera (1987-), a Mexican professional boxer and former world champion in the super bantamweight division.

In the realm of literature, Zuleyma is the name of a character in the novel "The Bride of Lammermoor" by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1819. The name also appears in the works of several other renowned authors, such as Gabriel García Márquez and Mario Vargas Llosa.

Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Zuleyma Sacur (1922-1995), a Colombian painter and sculptor known for her vibrant and colorful works that celebrated the culture and traditions of her native country.

The name Zuleyma has also been associated with historical figures from other regions, such as Zuleyma Makram (1918-2008), an Egyptian politician and diplomat who served as the first female minister in the Arab world.

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

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

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