Rahima

Rahima (Arabic: رحيمة) is a feminine given name of Arabic origin, meaning "merciful, kind, compassionate." It is the feminine form of Rahim, which itself derives from the Arabic root r-ḥ-m (رحم), signifying mercy. In Islamic tradition, الرحيم (al-Raḥīm) is one of the 99 names of Allah, emphasizing divine compassion. The name is also used in Bengali and other Muslim-majority cultures.

Etymology and Meaning

The name Rahima shares its root with the masculine Rahim, a direct name of Allah meaning "the Merciful." Cognates include Raheem (another transliteration) and the Turkish variant Rahime. Though not a Quranic name itself, its masculine counterpart features prominently in Islam.

Notable Bearers

• Rahima Banu (born 1973), the last known recipient of naturally occurring smallpox (Variola major), a young Bangladeshi girl whose story reflects the name's presence in Bangladesh.
• Rahima Moosa (1922–1993), a key South African anti-apartheid activist and trade unionist, remembered for leading the 1956 Women's March.
• Rahima Gambo (born 1986), Nigerian photographer and artist who archivally documents cultural narratives.
• Rahimah Rahim (b. 1955 and b. 1992), two Singaporean pop singers of Malay descent, the elder known for classical ballads and the younger for Mandopop.
• Rahima Ayla Dirkse (born 1993), Dutch–Indonesian model and Miss World Indonesia 2015 first runner-up.

Distribution and Usage

Rahima is widespread across the Islamic world but is particularly common in Bangladesh (via Bengali) and the Arabic-speaking Middle East. In English contexts it often appears among Arab, Pakistani, and Malay communities.

• Meaning: Merciful, compassionate
• Origin: Arabic
• Type: Given name (feminine)
• Usage Regions: Arabic-speaking countries, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia