Aisha
A female given name from the root ʿ-y-sh meaning 'living, alive, prosperous'.
- Root
- ʿ-y-sh (ع-ي-ش)
- Gender
- Female
- Meaning
- Living, prosperous
- Origin
- Arabic
Meaning and root
Aisha (ʿāʾisha) derives from the root ʿ-y-sh (ع-ي-ش), 'to live'. The form is an active participle: 'living, alive', with the sense of a full and prosperous life.
Usage
Borne by ʿĀʾisha bint Abī Bakr, wife of the Prophet, which made it one of the most beloved female names in the Muslim world. It remains in wide use across Arabia and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aisha mean?
It means 'living, alive' with a sense of prosperity, from the root ʿ-y-sh ('to live').
Sources
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: عيش
Last reviewed: 2026-07-09