Nesma
Nesma is a Muslim girl name meaning “Gentle breeze, breath of air”.
| Meaning | Gentle breeze, breath of air |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Arabic (Egyptian spelling) |
| Arabic spelling | نسمة |
| Pronunciation | NES-mah |
| Arabic root | ن س م (n-s-m) — to blow gently; breath |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Nesma
Nesma is the Egyptian spelling of the Arabic nasma (نسمة), from the root n-s-m, which is linked to a light breeze and to breathing. A nasma is a soft, gentle breath of air, the kind of breeze that cools a hot day, so the name is translated as 'gentle breeze' or 'breath of air'. In some contexts the word is also used to mean a living soul, a person, which gives the name a quiet sense of life and freshness.
The spelling Nesma reflects Egyptian pronunciation, where the short 'a' at the start of a word is often heard closer to 'e'. That is why Egyptians write and say Nesma, while the standard transliteration is Nasma. Nesma became a popular modern girls' name in Egypt and is also used in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and the Levant. Spellings with a final 'h', such as Nesmah and Nasmah, simply show the Arabic feminine ending. Pronunciation is NES-mah, with the stress on the first syllable. The name is short, soft and easy to say in many languages, which helps explain its popularity among diaspora families.
Is Nesma a Muslim name?
Yes. Nesma is an Arabic name meaning gentle breeze, widely used by Muslim families in Egypt and the Arab world.
Where is the name Nesma used?
Very common in Egypt; also used in Tunisia, Algeria and the Levant.
Gifts with the name Nesma
- Nesma name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Nesma baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Nesma
More girl names like Nesma
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nesma mean?
Nesma means 'Gentle breeze, breath of air'. It comes from Arabic (Egyptian spelling).
Is Nesma a Muslim name?
Yes. Nesma is an Arabic name meaning gentle breeze, widely used by Muslim families in Egypt and the Arab world.
How do you write Nesma in Arabic?
Nesma is written نسمة in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Nesma?
Nesma is pronounced NES-mah.
Is Nesma the same as Nasma?
Yes. Nesma is the Egyptian spelling and Nasma is the standard transliteration of the same name.
Is Nesma a girl's name?
Yes. Nesma is used as a girl's name, especially in Egypt and North Africa.