Abdulrahman
A theophoric compound: 'servant of al-Raḥmān', from the root r-ḥ-m, 'mercy' — the same root as raḥim, the womb.
- Root
- r-ḥ-m (ر-ح-م)
- Gender
- Male
- Meaning
- Servant of al-Raḥmān, 'the Most Merciful'
- Origin
- Arabic
Meaning and root
From r-ḥ-m (ر-ح-م), 'mercy'. The Arabic lexicographers note that this is the same root as *raḥim*, the womb — the tie of kinship is called *ṣilat al-raḥim*, 'the bond of the womb'.
Note for genealogy
That shared root is not incidental: in classical Arabic the vocabulary of mercy and the vocabulary of kinship come from one place, which is why relatives are described as *dhawū al-arḥām*, 'those of the wombs'.
Usage
Among the most common male names across the Arab world.
Frequently asked questions
What does Abdulrahman mean?
'Servant of al-Raḥmān', the Most Merciful, from the root r-ḥ-m — the same root as raḥim, 'womb'.
Sources
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: رحم
Last reviewed: 2026-07-27