Shaikha
The feminine of shaykh — an elder, and by extension a woman of rank and standing.
- Root
- sh-y-kh (ش-ي-خ)
- Gender
- Female
- Meaning
- Feminine of shaykh: an elder, a woman of standing
- Origin
- Arabic
Meaning and root
From sh-y-kh (ش-ي-خ), 'to grow old'. A *shaykh* is first an elder; the word then broadened to mean one of standing — a tribal head, a scholar, a man of authority. *Shaykha* is its feminine.
From title to name
Like Amīra and Sulṭāna, *Shaykha* began as a title of rank and settled into use as an ordinary given name. As a personal name it carries no claim of office.
Usage
Common in the Gulf.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shaikha a title or a name?
Both historically, but as a personal name it is simply a given name and implies no office — like Amira or Sultana.
Sources
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: شيخ
Last reviewed: 2026-07-27