Huda
From the root h-d-y, 'to guide' — right guidance, the opposite of straying.
- Root
- h-d-y (ه-د-ي)
- Gender
- Female
- Meaning
- Right guidance
- Origin
- Arabic
Meaning and root
From h-d-y (ه-د-ي), 'to guide'. *Hudā* is guidance itself, the opposite of *ḍalāl*, 'straying'.
Related words
The same root gives *hadiyya* ('a gift' — what is sent ahead), *hādī* ('a guide') and *ihtidāʾ* ('being rightly guided'). The link between guiding and gift-giving is that both are things sent forward to another.
Usage
Widespread throughout the Arab world.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Huda mean?
Right guidance, from the root h-d-y, 'to guide' — the opposite of straying.
Sources
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: هدي
Last reviewed: 2026-07-27