Surname Wahab - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wahab: What does the surname Wahab mean?
The last name Wahab is said to be a surname that originates from the Arabic language. The literal meaning of the last name is "giver" or "liberator". It is thought to have been derived from the Arabic terms "wahab" and "al-wahab", which when combined together form the noun "gift". This surname is found predominantly in the Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. It is also quite a popular last name in the Arab-speaking world, and due to the large population of people from the Middle Eastern region now living in the United States, it is also one of the most common Arab surnames found in the US.
The last name Wahab is associated with strength and faith. Its meaning of "giver" or "liberator" reflects the idea that its bearer has the ability to provide valuable resources to others, and act as a liberator of those in need. The last name may also be linked to the Islamic religion, and be associated with God, as it is thought to stem from an attitude of gratitude toward the Almighty for the divine gifts he provides.
In modern times, the surname Wahab has become the name of several notable people, including the former Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the famous Saudi-born entrepreneur, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The last name Wahab can also be found in literature with the well-known poet, Idris Wahab, and the author and journalist, Zainab Salbi.
The last name Wahab holds an interesting significance in the Arab culture. It is known to be a source of pride for those who bear it, symbolizing their traditional values of strength, faith, and generosity.
Order DNA origin analysisWahab: Where does the name Wahab come from?
The last name Wahab is most commonly found in countries located in the Middle East, such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It is also found in some African countries, such as Mauritania, Somalia, and Sudan. Depending on the country, the spelling of the surname can vary, such as Wahhab, Vahab, Wahabzadeh, and Wahhib.
There is evidence that the origin of Wahab goes back as far as the 11th century, when the tribe was located in upper Mesopotamia near Diyar Bakr. It is believed to be derived from “Waheed” or “Wahab”, which are Arabic words that mean “one” or “the one”. This likely refers to the founder of the family, or could possibly be associated with the ancient religion of Wahabism.
Today, the last name Wahab is commonly associated with the wealthy family of Saudi rulers called Ibn Saud. Ibn Saud's descendants are known to have adopted the last name Wahab, which can be found throughout the Middle East and in countries where people have relatives living in the region.
Many those with the last name Wahab are also found in the West, especially in the United States. The United States Census from 2000 shows that approximately 507 people reported having the name Wahab as their last name. The Census also revealed that the largest concentrations of the name can be found in Georgia, followed by California and New York.
Variations of the surname Wahab
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Wahab include Waba, Wahabu, Wahhab, Wahhabiyya, Wahhaby, Wohab, Wahabi, and Wahabie. Each of these spellings and surnames share the same origin, stemming from the Arabic root “WAHIB”, which means bestower or donor. The surname is said to have originated in the Persian-Arabic countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, but has spread to other parts of the world, such as Europe, South Asia and the United States.
The Wahhab surname is well established in the Muslim community and is a common name among the Arab Muslims of the Gulf, Middle East and North Africa. In some communities, the surname is also used by converts to Islam.
Most people with this name are members of the “Wahhabi” Muslim movement, established in the 18th century by Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab. The Wahhabi movement followed a strict interpretation of the Sunni Islamic law and was later adopted by the rulers of Saudi Arabia.
The different spellings of the surname Wahab are used depending on the region or country in which it is being used. While Wahab and Wohab are used in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, the spellings Wahhab, Waba, Wahhabi, and Wahhabiyya are used in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. The variants Wahabie and Wohhaby are commonly used in the United States.
The Wahab surname is gaining a lot of attention in Pakistan and India, due to the popularity of the name among various influencers and celebrities. People living in the United States may also be familiar with the name, as it is becoming a popular choice for baby names in some parts of the country.
Famous people with the name Wahab
- Ahmed Wahab: a former Iraqi footballer who played as a goalkeeper for the Iraq team at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
- Imtiaz Wahab: the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and the first Muslim Nobel Laureate, who served from 1959 to 1960.
- Sheikh Faqih Wahab: the founder of the Awal Tiba Mosque in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, which is considered one of the finest Islamic religious monuments in the country.
- Hussein Wahab: a footballer with the Syria national team who played in the 1976 AFC Asian Cup and 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
- Sultan Ali Wahab: the 18th Sultan of Lahej, a sheikhdom in Yemen that existed from the 17th to the 19th century.
- Rehana Wahab: an Indian author, editor, and columnist who is a prominent voice in the Indian literary scene.
- Dr Zabin Wahab: an Australian-trained physician and haematologist, as well as the manager of the Muslim Wellbeing Office in New South Wales.
- Dr Ayesha Wahab: an Afghan human rights activist, author, and professor of English literature at the American University of Afghanistan.
- Jawad Wahab: an internationally acclaimed Sudanese oud musician who is highly respected in Sudan, the Middle East, and North Africa.
- Wisam Wahab: an Iraqi sculptor whose works have been exhibited in more than 80 countries.