Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Fatima
GirlArabic· “one who weans; abstaining”
- Meaning
- one who weans; abstaining
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- FAH-tih-muh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #330
- US babies 2025
- 931
- Best rank
- #227 (2001)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Fatima
Fatima is an Arabic name that means “one who weans; abstaining”.
Fatima is an Arabic name usually explained as one who weans, or one who abstains, from a root meaning to wean. It is revered throughout the Muslim world as the name of Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, wife of Ali and mother of Hasan and Husayn. The Fatimid dynasty of North Africa and Egypt took its name from her. In Portugal the town of Fátima gave its name to a famous Marian shrine, so the name is also familiar in Catholic countries. Fatima feels graceful and traditional, and it is used across many languages and cultures.
Other spellings with the same sound: Fatimah.
Popularity over time
Fatima first appears in US Social Security records in 1919. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 53 different years, starting in 1973. Its best national rank was #227 in 2001, and the most babies received it in 2006, when 1,515 were named Fatima. In 2025, 931 babies were named Fatima, and it ranked #330 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,473 in 1950, #782 in 1980, #242 in 2000, #272 in 2010, and #330 in 2025. Of the 38,945 US girls named Fatima since records began, 35% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 10,495 babies. Since 2010, 15,932 more have been named Fatima.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Savanna, Jazmine, Julissa, Joselyn, and Makenna.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Fatima ranked highest in New York, District of Columbia, and Michigan.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #113 | 134 |
| District of Columbia | #127 | 6 |
| Michigan | #151 | 56 |
| Illinois | #224 | 45 |
| Minnesota | #245 | 23 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Fatima is usually pronounced FAH-tih-muh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with F and ends in “-ma”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Fatimah.
Middle names for Fatima
A few middle names that flow with Fatima: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Fatima
Similar names
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hah-LEE-muh
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SAHL-muh
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puh-LOH-muh
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Aliyah Girl
uh-LEE-uh
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kuh-MEE-luh
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Samara Girl
suh-MAHR-uh
Hebrew
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Amina Girl
ah-MEE-nuh
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Imani Girl
ih-MAH-nee
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Amani Girl
ah-MAH-nee
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Mariam Girl
MAIR-ee-uhm
“uncertain; form of Miriam” · Aramaic
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Lists that include Fatima
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Fatima mean?
Fatima is an Arabic name that means “one who weans; abstaining”.
What is the origin of the name Fatima?
Fatima has Arabic roots. Fatima is an Arabic name usually explained as one who weans, or one who abstains, from a root meaning to wean.
Is Fatima a popular name?
Yes. Fatima ranked #330 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Fatima a boy or girl name?
Fatima is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Fatima?
Fatima is usually pronounced FAH-tih-muh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings