Muslima

Muslima is the feminine form of Muslim, a name directly derived from the Arabic word أسْلم (ʾaslama), meaning "to surrender, to submit." The root name reflects a central tenet of Islam: submission to the will of God.

A Muslima would be a female follower of Islam, mirroring its masculine counterpart. Muslims ("al-Muslimūn": submitters to God) adhere to the Abrahamic tradition of monotheism, with the Quran as their central text (Wikipedia, “Muslims”). This sense of devotion and surrender is integral to the identity of any bearer of names like Muslim or Muslima.

Cultural Context

While the name Muslima is relatively less common than related names such as Muslim, it is most likely used among communities where Ottoman cultural history meshes with Arabic tradition, such as among Bengalis and Uzbeks, as well as in Arab communities throughout the Middle East and North Africa. In these contexts, the name would express both familial piety and hope that the child will exemplify the surrender and faithful devotion at the heart of Islamic practice.

• Meaning: Female follower of Islam; feminine form of Muslim
• Origin: Arabic, derived from the word for “one who submits (to God)”
• Type: Given name
• Usage regions: Arabic-speaking world, Bengali-speaking regions, Uzbekistan