Rukiye is the Turkish form of Ruqayya, an Arabic feminine name with deep roots in Islamic tradition. The name Ruqayya is thought to be derived either from Arabic ruqīy meaning "rise, ascent" or from ruqya meaning "spell, charm, incantation," both stemming from the root raqiya "to rise." In Turkish usage, the name is adapted phonetically as Rukiye.
Religious Significance
Ruqayya was the name of a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadija. She married Uthman, who later became the third Rashidun caliph. Her early death in 624 AD was a significant event during the early Islamic period. The name was also borne by other notable figures in early Islamic history, including a daughter of Ali and a daughter of Husayn, underscoring its prevalence among revered women.
Cultural Context
In Turkey, Rukiye continues to be used as a feminine given name, often chosen to honor the legacy of Ruqayya bint Muhammad. It may also be spelled Rüqəyya or Rüqəyyə in Azerbaijani variants, reflecting similar phonetic adaptations in Turkic languages. The name appears in related forms across other cultures, such as Rakiya in Hausa and Roghayeh in Persian, illustrating the widespread influence of Arabic names in Muslim-majority regions.
- Meaning: "rise, ascent" or "spell, incantation"
- Origin: Turkish form of Arabic Ruqayya
- Type: First name
- Usage regions: Turkey and other Turkic-speaking areas