Zainab
A classical female given name; the lexica gloss zaynab as a beautiful, fragrant tree. Borne by a daughter of the Prophet.
- Gender
- Female
- Meaning
- A beautiful fragrant tree (per the lexica)
- Origin
- Arabic
Meaning and root
Zainab is an old Arabic female name. The classical lexica gloss zaynab as a beautiful and fragrant tree; some philologists also connect the form to the root of zayn ('beauty, adornment').
Usage
Borne by Zaynab bint Muḥammad, a daughter of the Prophet, and by other women of his household, which made it a beloved name across the Muslim world ever since.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zainab mean?
The classical lexica gloss it as a beautiful, fragrant tree; some connect it to zayn, 'beauty'.
Sources
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: زنب
Last reviewed: 2026-07-14