Nashwa
Meaningelation · Arabic
Nashwa is an Arabic girl name meaning “elation”. 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 simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Nashwa has the name Nash hiding inside it.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Nashwa would score 12 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationNashwa peaked in 1987, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Nashwa you'd meet today is about 38 years old.
- HistoryNashwa first shows up in US birth records in 1987, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 38 years since.
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Nashwa
Nashwa is a girl name of Arabic origin meaning “elation”. 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 Nashwa
What does the name Nashwa mean?
Nashwa means “elation” and comes from Arabic.
What is the origin of the name Nashwa?
Nashwa is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Eleanor (“possibly light”), Layla (“night”), Lyla (“night”) and Aaliyah (“exalted”).
Is Nashwa a boy or girl name?
Nashwa is a girl name.
How popular is the name Nashwa?
Nashwa is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1998. It peaked at #11,325 in 1987, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What should I know before naming my baby Nashwa?
Nashwa is an Arabic girl name meaning “elation”. 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 simple to spell and say, 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.