Khadija

Born prematurely; the prematurely born girl.

Khadija is an Arabic feminine name meaning “the prematurely born girl.” The definition refers to birth, while the name’s historical associations give it a much broader resonance. Khadija bint Khuwaylid was the Prophet Muhammad’s first wife and is remembered in Islamic tradition as the first person to believe in his message. For someone drawn to a name with a connection to early Islam, this is the central story behind Khadija. In the Arabic reference pronunciation, the long middle vowel gives the name room to unfold after its firmer opening. That balance can feel elegant without being delicate. Khadija and Khadijah are Latin spellings of the same Arabic name; the final h is a spelling choice, rather than a different meaning.

Etymology: Khadija comes from Arabic خَدِيجَة (Khadīja), the feminine form of khadīj, “prematurely born.” Its linguistic meaning and its association with early Islamic history are two different layers of the name.