Nurhayati
Nurhayati is a Muslim girl name meaning “Light of my life”.
| Meaning | Light of my life |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Malay / Indonesian, from Arabic |
| Arabic spelling | نور حياتي |
| Pronunciation | noor-hah-YAH-tee |
| Arabic root | ن و ر (n-w-r) — light; ح ي ي (ḥ-y-y) — life |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Nurhayati
Nurhayati is a compound of two Arabic words: nūr (نور), 'light', and ḥayātī (حياتي), 'my life'. Put together, it means 'light of my life'. The final '-i' is the Arabic possessive 'my', so the name sounds like a tender address from parent to child. The first element comes from the root n-w-r, linked to light and illumination, and the second from ḥ-y-y, linked to life and living.
Names beginning with Nur are a hallmark of Indonesian and Malaysian naming, where Arabic words are often joined into one name: Nurhayati, Nurul Ain, Nurhaliza and many others. In Indonesia the compound is usually written as one word, while Malaysian families sometimes separate it as Nur Hayati. It became very common in Indonesia in the twentieth century, among both Javanese and Malay Muslims, and it remains a familiar name for women of many generations there. Pronunciation is noor-hah-YAH-tee. In Arabic-speaking countries the phrase nūr ḥayātī would be understood as an affectionate expression rather than as a standard given name.
Famous people named Nurhayati
- Nurhayati Subakat — Indonesian businesswoman and founder of the Wardah cosmetics brand
Is Nurhayati a Muslim name?
Yes. Nurhayati is a Muslim name used in Indonesia and Malaysia, made from Arabic words meaning light of my life.
Where is the name Nurhayati used?
Very common in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Gifts with the name Nurhayati
- Nurhayati name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Nurhayati 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 Nurhayati
Read more
More girl names like Nurhayati
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Nurhayati mean?
Nurhayati means 'Light of my life'. It comes from Malay / Indonesian, from Arabic.
Is Nurhayati a Muslim name?
Yes. Nurhayati is a Muslim name used in Indonesia and Malaysia, made from Arabic words meaning light of my life.
How do you write Nurhayati in Arabic?
Nurhayati is written نور حياتي in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Nurhayati?
Nurhayati is pronounced noor-hah-YAH-tee.
Is Nurhayati an Indonesian name?
Yes. It is made from Arabic words but is a typical Indonesian and Malaysian compound name.
What does Hayati mean?
Hayati is Arabic for 'my life'; in Nurhayati it is joined with Nur, 'light'.