Fatwa No : 89774
How Is It to Name “Huma”?

How Is It to Name “Huma”?

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
We hope that you respected scholars are well and in good health, (If Allah wills, the Mighty and the Majestic).
We have a question: My niece’s name is Huma (ہما). Some people tell us that this name is not appropriate. Because of this, the family wants to change the name and wishes to choose another name that is similar in pronunciation and sound, but has a correct and good meaning. Is the name Huma really inappropriate, or is its meaning incorrect? Kindly provide guidance from a Shariʿah perspective, and also suggest a few names from among the names of the female Companions (Sahabiyat), may Allah be pleased with them.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

The name “Huma” (with Ha’ pronounced with dammah) is a word from the Urdu and Persian languages. Its meaning is “eagle” or a mythical bird which people traditionally regard as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Therefore, from the perspective of meaning, keeping this name is permissible and valid. However, it is preferable and better that a girl be named after the Mothers of the Believers, the female Companions (Sahabiyyat), or the righteous women of the Ummah, as such names carry greater blessing, religious significance, and good example. Some suitable names suggested in this regard are as follows:
Anisah, Barirah, Sakinah, Tamimah, Juwayriyah, Umaymah, Jumaymah, Hafsah, Jalilah, Jamilah, Habibah, Halimah, Humayra, Hamimah, Khadijah, Khalidah, Khawlah, Ruqayyah, Rayhanah, Rabiʿah, Raja’ , Rahilah, Zaynab, Salma, Saʿidah, Sawdah, Sidrah, Safiyyah, Tarifah, Tahirah, Aliyah.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

وفی معجم متن اللغةهماء: العقاب: طائر آخر تتخذ الملوك من ريشه تيجانهم لعزته. زعموا أن من وقع ظله عليه صار ملكا: (ج:5 :ص 667 ناشر:دار مكتبة الحياة)
فیروزاللغات میں ہے:
"ہما(ہ۔ما)(ف۔ا۔مذ)ایک خیالی مشہور پرند جس کی نسبت کہا جاتا ہے کہ جس کے سر پر سے گزر جائے وہ بادشاہ ہوجاتا ہے"
(ص:1448، ط: فیروز سنز)
المعجم الوسيط(‌الهماء) العقاب وقيل طائر تتخذ الملوك من ريشه في تيجانهم لعزته (فارسيۃ)( ج :2 ص: 996 ناشر: دارالفکر بیروت)