Arwa
Arwa is a Muslim girl name meaning “Female mountain goat; graceful”.
| Meaning | Female mountain goat; graceful |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Arabic |
| Arabic spelling | أروى |
| Pronunciation | AR-wah |
| Arabic root | ر و ي (r-w-y) — to quench thirst |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Arwa
Arwa, Arabic arwā, is an old Arabic word for the female mountain goat or ibex, an animal admired in desert poetry for its grace, sure-footedness and ability to move freely across steep rocks. As a name it conveys elegance, agility and natural beauty. Arab lexicographers place the word under the root r-w-y, which is connected with water and quenching thirst, and some modern explanations of the name draw on that link to give senses like 'one who refreshes'; the ibex meaning, however, is the traditional one.
The name is attested in early Islamic history. Arwa bint ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib was an aunt of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and in medieval Yemen Queen Arwa al-Ṣulayḥiyya ruled for decades in the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries, leaving a lasting reputation in Yemeni memory. Arwa remains popular in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the wider Arab world. In Arabic it is written أروى and pronounced AR-wah. A well-known modern bearer is the journalist Arwa Damon, long a CNN international correspondent.
Famous people named Arwa
- Arwa al-Sulayhi — queen who ruled Yemen in the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries
- Arwa bint Abd al-Muttalib — aunt of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
- Arwa Damon — journalist and former CNN senior international correspondent
Is Arwa a Muslim name?
Yes. Arwa is a Muslim name of Arabic origin, borne by an aunt of the Prophet ﷺ and by a famous queen of Yemen.
Where is the name Arwa used?
Common across the Arab world, especially Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Gifts with the name Arwa
- Arwa name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Arwa baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.
Spellings and variants of Arwa
More girl names like Arwa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Arwa mean?
Arwa means 'Female mountain goat; graceful'. It comes from Arabic.
Is Arwa a Muslim name?
Yes. Arwa is a Muslim name of Arabic origin, borne by an aunt of the Prophet ﷺ and by a famous queen of Yemen.
How do you write Arwa in Arabic?
Arwa is written أروى in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Arwa?
Arwa is pronounced AR-wah.
Who was Queen Arwa?
Arwa al-Sulayhiyya was a queen who ruled Yemen in the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries and is still remembered with great respect there.
Is Arwa mentioned in the Quran?
No. Arwa is an old Arabic name and does not appear in the Quran, though it was borne by an aunt of the Prophet ﷺ.