Zayd (also spelled Zaid) is an Arabic masculine given name meaning "growth" or "abundance", derived from the Arabic root zāda (زاد) meaning "to grow, to increase". The name holds particular significance in Islamic history as the name of Zayd ibn Harithah, a former slave who was freed and legally adopted by the Prophet Muhammad, making him one of the early converts to Islam and a prominent companion of the Prophet. Zayd is also the only companion mentioned by name in the Quran (in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 37), where his adoption and subsequent marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh are recounted. After the revelation of that verse, the practice of legal adoption was revised in Islamic law, emphasizing blood lineage rather than formal adoption. The name Zayd was notably borne by several early Muslims, including Zayd ibn Thabit, a scribe who compiled the Quran into a single volume during the caliphate of Abu Bakr, and Zayd ibn Ali, a descendant of the Prophet and the namesake of the Zaydi sect of Shia Islam. In more recent times, the name has been used by many public figures across the Muslim world and beyond, including Zayd al-Rifai (1936–2024), a former prime minister of Jordan; Zayd Abdul-Aziz (born 1946), an American basketball player; and Zayd Shakir (born 1956), an American scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College. The name also appears in sport, with figures such as Zayd Abbas (born 1983), a Jordanian basketball player, and Zayd Ashkanani (born 1994), a Kuwaiti racing driver, among others. Variants of Zayd include the simpler Zaid (Arabic), Zeyd (Azerbaijani), and Zejd (Bosnian). The feminine form Zaida exists in Arabic, while the related name Zaden is a modern American coinage. The root name Muhammad connects to Zayd through the historical association with the Prophet Muhammad, who adopted Zayd as a son before the practice was prohibited. Cultural and Religious Significance In Islamic tradition, Zayd is revered not only for his close relationship with Muhammad but also for his role as one of the first freed slaves to accept Islam, symbolizing the faith's early message of social justice and equality. The story of Zayd's adoption and the subsequent revelation regarding adoption laws (Quran 33:37-40) is frequently cited in discussions of Islamic family law and ethics. The name remains popular throughout the Arab world and among Muslim communities globally, often chosen for its positive meaning—signifying growth and increase. The Zaydi sect of Shiism, primarily in Yemen, takes its name from Zayd ibn Ali (d. 740), a grandson of Husayn ibn Ali, reflecting the continued resonance of the name across Islamic history. Meaning: "Growth" Origin: Arabic, from the root zāda "to grow, to increase" Type: Given name Usage: Arabic-speaking and Muslim-majority countries Historical bearer: Zayd ibn Harithah, adopted son of Prophet Muhammad