| Pronunciation | [ħabiːb] |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Arabic |
| Meaning | "Beloved" "Friend" (Maltese) |
| Other names | |
| Related names | Habiba |
Habib (Arabic: حبيب, romanized: ḥabīb; 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 Muhammad – حبيب الله Habib Allah (Habibullah/ Habiballah) - "Most Beloved of Allah (God)".
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.
