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Halima

Girl name · 38 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Halima: 38 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 7 births in 2022.

Halima is a name of Arabic origin, derived from Ḥalīmah, meaning “gentle,” “patient,” or “generous.” It is famously associated with Halima bint Abi Dhuayb, the Bedouin woman who nursed the Prophet Muhammad as an infant, making the name profoundly significant in Islamic tradition. In modern times, Halima Aden is a notable bearer: a Somali-American model who made history as the first hijab-wearing model to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant and later walked for top fashion houses. The name shares its root with the Arabic word ḥalīm, meaning “forbearing,” and is sometimes linked to the Hebrew name Chava via distant cognates, but this connection is debated. Halima remains a graceful, culturally rich choice with a gentle resonance.