Habib (Arabic: حبيب, romanizedḥabīb; Arabic pronunciation: [ħabiːb]), sometimes written as Habeeb, is an Arabic masculine given name, occasional surname, and honorific, with the meaning "beloved"[1][2] or "my love", or "darling".[3] It also forms the famous Arabic word ‘Habibi’ which is used to refer to a friend or a significant other in the aspect of love or admiration.

Habib
Pronunciation[ħabiːb]
GenderMale
Origin
Word/nameArabic
Meaning"Beloved"
"Friend" (Maltese)
Other names
Related namesHabiba

The name is popular throughout the Muslim World, though particularly in the Middle East and Africa. In other countries, especially in Yemen and Southeast Asian countries such as Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, it is an honorific to address a Muslim scholar of Sayyid (a descendant of Muhammad) families and where it is one of the names of the Islamic prophet Muhammadحبيب الله Habib Allah (Habibullah/ Habiballah) - "Most Beloved of Allah (God)".

"The hard worker ("earner, gainer") is Most Loved of Allah" (Arabic: al-kāsib Ḥabīb Allah الكَسِب حَبِيب الله), atop an arch in a mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

The name, as is the case with other Arabic names, is not only confined to Muslims. Notable examples of Christian individuals named Habib include Habib the Deacon,[4] Gabriel Habib[5] and the Philosopher Habib.[6]

Habiba is the female equivalent.

Etymology

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The name stems from the Arabic verb ḥabba (حَبَّ), meaning to "love", "admire, be fond of".

Another variant which is used as a given name and adjective of the stem from that verb is "maḥbūb" (مَحْبُوب) meaning "well-beloved", commonly written as Mahbub, the female equivalent Mahbuba (Arabic: maḥbūbah مَحْبُوبَة).

The Hebrew equivalent of the name is Haviv (Hebrew: חָבִיב) used as both a first name and last name with the same meaning, "darling" or "likeable" in Hebrew.

Surname

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Given name

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Habib

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Habeeb

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Khabib

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Other spellings containing the term

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Honorific title

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Fictional characters

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  • Habib Halal, character in Australian film Fat Pizza

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Mike Campbell. "Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Habib". Behind the Name.
  2. ^ Nihad Nadam. "NameArabic: Meaning, Arabic names with Calligraphy and meaning". Name Arabic. Archived from the original on 2018-06-23. Retrieved 2018-06-23.
  3. ^ "Habibi meaning and useful expressions in Arabic". Name Arabic.
  4. ^ "CHURCH FATHERS: Martyrdom of Habib the Deacon". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2017-12-17.
  5. ^ Davies, Noel; Conway, Martin (2008). World Christianity in the Twentieth Century: A Reader. Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd. ISBN 9780334040446.
  6. ^ Roberts, Reverend Alexander (2007-05-01). The Ante-Nicene Fathers: The Writings of the Fathers Down to A. D. 325, Volume VIII Fathers of the Third and Fourth Century - the Twelve Patriarchs, Ex. Cosimo, Inc. ISBN 9781602064836.