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Fatima

Girl name · 414 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Fatima: 414 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 26 births in 2025.

Fatima is a name of Arabic origin, derived from the root *fatama*, meaning "to wean" or "to abstain," and is most famously borne by Fatima bint Muhammad, the beloved daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, who is revered across the Islamic world as a symbol of purity and patience. In Scotland, the name has steadily risen in popularity since the 1990s, reflecting the nation's growing multiculturalism. Notable bearers include Fatima Whitbread, the British Olympic javelin thrower, and Fatima Bhutto, the Pakistani writer and poet. The town of Fátima in Portugal, a major Marian pilgrimage site, shares the same spelling as the name but is believed to derive from a different source—the Arabic name given to a Moorish princess. Variants include the Turkish Fatma and the diminutive Fati.