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What is the meaning of Zulaikha?

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This is an official answer by QuranicNames.com Staff

Zulaikha is an Arabic name for girls. The interpreters of the Quran say it was the name of the woman mentioned in Surat Yusuf (chapter 12 of the Quran) who tried to seduce Prophet Yusuf peace be upon him, and who caused him to be put in prison. The woman is later quoted in the Quran saying some wise words which may show that she had found Allah and repented, and for this reason Zulaikha is an acceptable name for Muslims:

I am not trying to absolve myself: for man’s very soul incites him to evil unless my Lord bestows His mercy. Indeed, my Lord is forgiving and merciful.’ (Quran 12:53)

The meaning of Zulaikha is not known for certain, since it is supposed to have come from ancient Coptic roots. Some say it comes from the Z-L-KH Arabic root and this would make it mean "one who walks fast".

Zulaikha is pronounced [(Z)ero + p(U)t] + [(LAY)] + [(KH)artoum + m(A)n] with emphasis on the last syllable. It is written as زُلَيْخا in Arabic and can also be written as Zulaikhaa, Zuleikha, Zuleykha, Zoleikha, Zolekha in English.

There is a variant of Zuleikha pronounced [(Z)ero + p(U)t] + [(LAY)] + [(KH)artoum + r(U)n] (notice the short "u" sound at the end), with emphasis on the second syllable. This version is written as زُلَيْخَة in Arabic and can also be written as Zuleikhah, Zuleikhah, Zulekhah, Zulekha, Zuleikha, Zoleikha (among many others) in English.

You can use either variant. There are also other variants that you can use, such as Zuleiha and Zalikha.

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15 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    From Islamic names for children and it’s meaning, Zulaikhaa means brilliant beauty

  2. Anonymous

    Zulaikha is ancient arabic word called to a Prostitute Girl. So, this name is not Acceptable for Muslims.

  3. Anonymous

    In history the name of Lady who compelled Hazrat Yousaf to do wrong deeds was missing. So, when this incident become tale, Zulaikha name was given to that lady, which is ancient arabic word called to a Prostitute Girl. So, this name is not Acceptable for Muslims.
    Moreover, due to bad character of this lady, we should not give this name to our beloved beautiful baby doll.

  4. Anonymous

    The name it was originally from Israeliat which means the most love one mowa in hausa language I was told this by my mother

  5. Anonymous

    The name it was originally from Israeliat which means the most love one mowa in hausa language I was told this by my mother pls make quercetin if I am wrong

  6. Anonymous

    Write your comment She Is So Beaty By Face And Other Internal Screted And She Has Good Behavious And Character.

  7. Anonymous

    I live in Nigeria and my name is spelt and pronounced as Suliat.

  8. Anonymous

    Write your comment here…I live in Nigeria and my name is zulaikha but we pronounce it here as zulaihat .

  9. Anonymous

    The name zulaikha means a big woman in misrah in the period of Yusuf (SAW) No any Muslim scholar abuse the name. So it’s very recommended to name your baby girl as ZULAIKHA

  10. Anonymous

    I don’t know anything about the origin of this name.
    The reason I like this name is because of the character Zulaikha in Tomi Adeyemi’s book, “Children and Blood an Bone” who is a very strong girl.

  11. Anonymous

    Am from Ghana and my name is spelt as Zulaiha,Zuleiya or Zuleiha

  12. Anonymous

    I’m from Ghana and my name is spelt as Zulaikhat which means brilliant beauty

  13. Anonymous

    I’m a Muslim from Uganda, my name is spelt “zulaika” meaning brilliant beauty

  14. Anonymous

    I’m from Nigeria, right now I’m struggling to correct my name which is spelt SULIAT instead of ZULAIKHA.

  15. Anonymous

    The name Zulaika means brilliant beauty, someone who is sensitive, not a prostitute as some other people are saying (it’s very hard to go along with that cuz it would sound bad if someone was called Zulaika and then you tell them that their name means prostitute and l don’t think l like that) kind, soft hearted, and able to find their capability

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