Fadwa
Meaningself-sacrifice · Arabic
Fadwa is an Arabic girl name meaning “self-sacrifice”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Fadwa would score 12 points, thanks largely to the F (worth 4).
- GenerationFadwa peaked in 1984, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Fadwa you'd meet today is about 41 years old.
- HistoryFadwa first shows up in US birth records in 1984, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 41 years since.
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Fadwa
Fadwa is a girl name of Arabic origin meaning “self-sacrifice”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 1980s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic girl names
- Girl name: Eleanor · possibly light
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Girl name: Aaliyah · exalted
- Girl name: Amira · princess
- Girl name: Lilly · lily flower
- Girl name: Leila · night
- Girl name: Aliyah · ascent
Questions about the name Fadwa
What does the name Fadwa mean?
Fadwa means “self-sacrifice” and comes from Arabic.
What is the origin of the name Fadwa?
Fadwa is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Eleanor (“possibly light”), Layla (“night”), Lyla (“night”) and Aaliyah (“exalted”).
Is Fadwa a boy or girl name?
Fadwa is a girl name.
How popular is the name Fadwa?
Fadwa is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2008. It peaked at #10,422 in 1984, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What should I know before naming my baby Fadwa?
Fadwa is an Arabic girl name meaning “self-sacrifice”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.