Zeinab

Meaning & origin

Zeinab is a name of Arabic origin, rooted in Islamic tradition as the name of a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. In the United States, its recorded use began in 1982, peaking in 1999 when it reached its highest rank. Since 2000, its popularity has been falling, yet it remains a meaningful choice, particularly among families with cultural or religious ties to the Arabic-speaking world. The name has been most common in Michigan and New York, reflecting communities with significant Arab American populations. Despite its declining trajectory, Zeinab continues to be used steadily, with an estimated 1 in 61,818 girls receiving the name in 2025.

Zeinab is the English transliteration of the Arabic name Zaynab (زينب). It is traditionally understood to mean 'father's precious jewel' or 'ornament of the father,' derived from the Arabic root words zayn (beauty, adornment) and ab (father). The name holds deep historical and religious significance in Islam, as Zaynab was the name of a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and later of a granddaughter who played a pivotal role in early Islamic history. It has been widely used across the Arabic-speaking world and among Muslim communities globally.