Habib (Arabic: حبيب, romanizedḥabīb; Arabic pronunciation: [ħabiːb]), sometimes written as Habeeb, is an Arabic masculine given name, occasional surname, and honorific, with the meaning "beloved"[1][2] or "my love", or "darling".[3] It also forms the famous Arabic word ‘Habibi’ which is used to refer to a friend or a significant other in the aspect of love or admiration.

The name is popular throughout the Muslim World, though particularly in the Middle East and Africa. In other countries, especially in Yemen and Southeast Asian countries such as Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, it is an honorific to address a Muslim scholar of Sayyid (a descendant of Muhammad) families and where it is one of the names of the Islamic prophet Muhammadحبيب الله Habib Allah (Habibullah/ Habiballah) - "Most Beloved of Allah (God)".

"The hard worker ("earner, gainer") is Most Loved of Allah" (Arabic: al-kāsib Ḥabīb Allah الكَسِب حَبِيب الله), atop an arch in a mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

The name, as is the case with other Arabic names, is not only confined to Muslims. Notable examples of Christian individuals named Habib include Habib the Deacon,[4] Gabriel Habib[5] and the Philosopher Habib.[6]

Habiba is the female equivalent.

Etymology

The name stems from the Arabic verb ḥabba (حَبَّ), meaning to "love", "admire, be fond of".

Another variant which is used as a given name and adjective of the stem from that verb is "maḥbūb" (مَحْبُوب) meaning "well-beloved", commonly written as Mahbub, the female equivalent Mahbuba (Arabic: maḥbūbah مَحْبُوبَة).

The Hebrew equivalent of the name is Haviv (Hebrew: חָבִיב) used as both a first name and last name with the same meaning, "darling" or "likeable" in Hebrew.

Surname

Given name

Habib

Habeeb

Khabib

Other spellings containing the term

Honorific title

Fictional characters

  • Habib Halal, character in Australian film Fat Pizza

See also

References