Tahirah

Meaning & origin

Tahirah is a feminine name of Arabic origin meaning 'pure.' It was first recorded in the United States in 1971, and its popularity peaked in 1982. Since 1997, the name has been on a steady decline, though it continues to be used. In 2025, it ranked 14,942, with roughly 1 in every 321,453 newborn girls receiving the name. Tahirah has not been associated with any particular states as a top name. The name carries strong cultural and religious resonance within Muslim communities, appreciated for its virtuous meaning and phonetic elegance. Its rarity in the broader population gives it a distinctive quality for parents seeking a name with deep roots yet uncommon usage.

Tahirah is the feminine form of the Arabic name Tahir, derived from the root ṭ-h-r meaning 'to be pure' or 'to be clean'. It is a direct Quranic name, appearing as an attribute of purity. The name has been used across the Muslim world, particularly in South Asia and the Middle East, and gained modest popularity in English-speaking countries during the latter half of the 20th century.