Halimah
Meaninggentle, patient · Arabic
Halimah is an Arabic girl name meaning “gentle, patient”. 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 flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Halimah has the name Ali hiding inside it.
- Word funHalimah starts and ends with the same letter, H. A neat little bookend.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Halimah would score 15 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationHalimah peaked in 1989, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Halimah you'd meet today is about 36 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Halimahs too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Halimah would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 69,930 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryHalimah first shows up in US birth records in 1975, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 50 years since.
US births per million girls, 1975–2025
Similar names
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Halimah
Halimah is a girl name of Arabic origin meaning “gentle, patient”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 1980s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
Other spellings of Halimah
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 Halimah
What does the name Halimah mean?
Halimah means “gentle, patient” and comes from Arabic. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Halima (“gentle, patient”) and Sabira (“patient”).
What is the origin of the name Halimah?
Halimah is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Eleanor (“possibly light”), Layla (“night”), Lyla (“night”) and Aaliyah (“exalted”).
Is Halimah a boy or girl name?
Halimah is a girl name. In 2025, 23 US girls were named Halimah.
How popular is the name Halimah?
Halimah ranked #5,410 for US girls in 2025, given to 23 babies. Its best year was 1989, when it reached #4,848. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,219 places.
What names are similar to Halimah?
If you like Halimah, you might also like Halima and Sabira. Halima is another spelling of the same name.
What should I know before naming my baby Halimah?
Halimah is an Arabic girl name meaning “gentle, patient”. 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 flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.