MallowbyNames

Hidaya

hee-DAH-yah · Guidance, divine guidance.

2025 rank (girls)
#5,917
Babies named in 2025
20
Peak popularity
2018
2025 frequency
1 in 80,363 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 2003

Rising since 2003, #5,917 for girls today.

Popularity of Hidaya since 2001

Babies named Hidaya per year in U.S. Social Security records.

9192820102020Most births 2018Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
2000s41
2010s116
2020s104

Meaning & origin

Hidaya is a name with deep spiritual roots in the Islamic tradition, derived directly from an Arabic word meaning 'guidance.' First recorded in the U.S. in 2001, it reached its peak popularity in 2018 and has been on a steady upward trajectory since 2003. As of 2025, it ranks 5,917 nationally, with approximately 1 in 80,363 girls receiving the name. Its strongest presence is in Minnesota, a state known for its diverse Somali-American community, which may reflect the name's resonance in Muslim families. Hidaya stands out for its melodic sound and profound meaning, making it a meaningful choice for parents seeking a name that embodies faith and direction.

Hidaya is an Arabic feminine name derived from the root h-d-y, meaning 'guidance' or 'right path.' It is closely related to the masculine name Hadi, one of the names of God in Islam. The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world and among Muslim communities globally, often chosen for its spiritual connotation of being led toward righteousness.

Where Hidaya is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Hidaya” around the world

Where Hidaya lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    245

    babies in 2024

  • Quebec

    6

    babies in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Hidi, Daya

Variants: Hidayah, Hidayya

Sibling names for Hidaya

Names that share Hidaya's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Aaliyah, Iman, Layla, Nadia, Zahra

Brothers: Hadi, Omar, Yusuf, Zayn, Khalid

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

H is for Hidaya, our favorite little girl.

H is for Hidaya…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Hidaya's letter becomes Hidaya's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Hidaya's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Hidaya mean?
Hidaya means 'guidance' or 'right path' in Arabic, often referring to divine guidance.
How popular is the name Hidaya?
As of 2025, Hidaya ranks 5,917 in the U.S., with about 1 in 80,363 newborn girls given this name. Its peak year was 2018, and it has been rising in use since 2003.
Is Hidaya a boy or girl name?
Hidaya is traditionally a feminine name, though it shares a root with the masculine name Hadi.