Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Halima
GirlArabic, Swahili· “gentle, patient”
- Meaning
- gentle, patient
- Origin
- Arabic, Swahili
- Pronunciation
- hah-LEE-muh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,902
- US babies 2025
- 102
- Best rank
- #1,689 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Halima
Halima is an Arabic and Swahili name that means “gentle, patient”.
Halima comes from the Arabic halim, meaning gentle, patient or forbearing; al-Halim, the Forbearing, is one of the names of God in Islam. The feminine form has deep roots in Muslim tradition through Halimah bint Abi Dhuayb, the foster mother who nursed the Prophet Muhammad as an infant. The name spread widely across the Arab world, East Africa and South Asia, and in Swahili-speaking regions it is a familiar classic. It is usually said hah-LEE-muh. Variants include Halimah and Haleema. The name's meaning gives it a quiet, kind character that many families value.
Popularity over time
Halima first appears in US Social Security records in 1970. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,689 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 121 babies. In 2025, 102 babies were named Halima, and it ranked #1,902 nationally. That is 40% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #3,647 in 1980, #4,574 in 2000, #2,653 in 2010, and #1,902 in 2025. Of the 2,310 US girls named Halima since records began, 29% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 615 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Fatoumata, Hermione, Harlowe, Mar, and Ambar.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Halima ranked highest in Maryland, Virginia, and Minnesota.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Halima is usually pronounced hah-LEE-muh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with H and ends in “-ma”.
Middle names for Halima
A few middle names that flow with Halima: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Halima
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Lists that include Halima
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Halima mean?
Halima is an Arabic and Swahili name that means “gentle, patient”.
What is the origin of the name Halima?
Halima has Arabic and Swahili roots. Halima comes from the Arabic halim, meaning gentle, patient or forbearing; al-Halim, the Forbearing, is one of the names of God in Islam.
Is Halima a popular name?
Not especially. Halima ranked #1,902 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Halima a boy or girl name?
Halima is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Halima?
Halima is usually pronounced hah-LEE-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