Meaning & History
Maimunah is an alternate transcription of the Arabic name Maymuna (ميمونة), and is the usual form in Malay and Indonesian. The name is derived from the Arabic root يمن (yamana), meaning "to be lucky, to go to the right." It thus carries the meaning "fortunate, blessed, auspicious."
Notable Bearers
Maimunah bint al-Harith (c. 597–681 CE) was one of the wives of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. She was married to him in 629 CE and is known for her piety and charity. Her full name was Maymuna bint al-Harith al-Hilaliyya, and the variant Maimunah is commonly used in her mention.
Another notable bearer is Maimunah bint al-Harith's sister, Lubaba bint al-Harith, who is less known.
Cultural Significance
In Muslim-majority regions like Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore, Maimunah remains a popular name among women because of its positive connotations of good fortune and blessing, as well as its association with a wife of the Prophet, considered a model of virtue. In Arabic-speaking countries, it is usually written as Maymuna or Maymunah, with slight phonetic variations in Romanization.
The Malay long-form maimun as a male name is derived from the same root, but Maimunah specifically indicates femininity.
Versions and Variants
- Maymunah – Arabic transliteration
- Maymuna – Arabic alternate spelling
- Meaning: blessed, lucky, auspicious
- Origin: Arabic
- Usage: Arabic, Indonesian, Malay
- Gender: Feminine