Jawaher
The plural of jawhara, 'a gem' — jewels. Arabized early from Persian and fully naturalised in Arabic.
- Root
- j-w-h-r (ج-و-ه-ر)
- Gender
- Female
- Meaning
- Jewels, gems (plural of jawhara)
- Origin
- Arabic
Meaning
*Jawāhir* is the plural of *jawhara*, a gem or precious stone.
Origin
The word entered Arabic early from Persian *gawhar* and was naturalised completely — it takes Arabic plural patterns and generated the philosophical term *jawhar*, 'substance, essence', used throughout classical Arabic thought.
As a name
Naming daughters after precious things is a settled Arabic habit: Jawāhir, Durra ('pearl'), Lūlwa ('pearl') and Almās ('diamond') all belong to it. The plural form here is deliberate — not one gem but many.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Jawaher mean?
Jewels — the plural of jawhara, 'a gem'. The word came into Arabic from Persian and was fully naturalised.
Sources
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: جهر
Last reviewed: 2026-07-27