Fahd
From the root f-h-d — the leopard or hunting cheetah, one of the animal names Arabs favoured for their sons.
- Root
- f-h-d (ف-ه-د)
- Gender
- Male
- Meaning
- Leopard / cheetah
- Origin
- Arabic
Meaning
*Fahd* is the leopard, and in the older sources the hunting cheetah that was trained for the chase.
Why animal names
Arabs named sons after predators deliberately — for strength, vigilance and awe. Asad (lion), Fahd (leopard), Dhiʾb (wolf) and Ṣaqr (falcon) all belong to this habit, which long predates Islam and is well attested in pre-Islamic poetry.
Usage
Among the most popular male names in the Gulf.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Fahd mean?
Leopard — or, in the classical sources, the hunting cheetah. Arabs favoured predator names for their sons.
Sources
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: فهد
Last reviewed: 2026-07-27