Habib (; ; also romanized as Habeeb) is an Arabic masculine given name, occasional surname, and honorific, with the meaning "beloved" or "my love", or "darling". 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 The terms Islamic world and Muslim world commonly refer to the Islamic community, which is also known as the Ummah. This consists of all those who adhere to the religious beliefs, politics, and laws of Islam or to societies in which Islam is ...

, though particularly in the

Middle East The Middle East (term originally coined in English language) is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The term came into widespread usage by the United Kingdom and western Eur ...

and

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...

. In other countries, especially in the

Hadhramaut Hadhramaut ( ; ) is a geographic region in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula which includes the Yemeni governorates of Hadhramaut, Shabwah and Mahrah, Dhofar in southwestern Oman, and Sharurah in the Najran Province of Saudi A ...

region of

Yemen Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country in West Asia. Located in South Arabia, southern Arabia, it borders Saudi Arabia to Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, the north, Oman to Oman–Yemen border, the northeast, the south-eastern part ...

and

Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, southeastern region of Asia, consisting of the regions that are situated south of China, east of the Indian subcontinent, and northwest of the Mainland Au ...

n countries such as

Brunei Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. Apart from its coastline on the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, with ...

Singapore Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...

and

Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...

, it is an

honorific An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an Honorary title (academic), h ...

to address a Muslim scholar of ''

Sayyid ''Sayyid'' is an honorific title of Hasanid and Husaynid lineage, recognized as descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and Ali's sons Hasan ibn Ali, Hasan and Husayn ibn Ali, Husayn. The title may also refer ...

'' descent and where it is one of the names of the Islamic prophet Muhammad – حبيب الله '' Habib Allah'' (Habibullah/ Habiballah) - "Most Beloved of

Allah Allah ( ; , ) is an Arabic term for God, specifically the God in Abrahamic religions, God of Abraham. Outside of the Middle East, it is principally associated with God in Islam, Islam (in which it is also considered the proper name), althoug ...

(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, Gabriel Habib and the Philosopher Habib. '' Habiba'' is the female equivalent.

Etymology

The name stems from the

Arabic Arabic (, , or , ) is a Central Semitic languages, Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family spoken primarily in the Arab world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assigns lang ...

verb ''ḥabba'' (حَبَّ), meaning to "love", "admire, be fond of". Another variant which is used as a given name and adjective of the stem from that verb is "''maḥbūb''" (مَحْبُوب) meaning "well-beloved", commonly written as

Mahbub Mahbūb Mahboob(also spelled Mahboob, or Mehboob, from Arabic: , passed to other languages such as is a masculine given name. Given name Mahboob * Maulana Mahboob Alam (1863–1933), founder of the daily Pakistani newspaper ''Paisa Akhbar'' * Maha ...

, the female equivalent Mahbuba (Arabic: ''maḥbūbah'' مَحْبُوبَة). The

Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...

equivalent of the name is ''

Haviv Haviv (Hebrew: חָבִיב) is a Hebrew first name and last name meaning "darling" or "likeable". It is cognate to Arab Habib. Notable people with the name include: Given name: *Haviv Rettig Gur Haviv Rettig Gur (; born April 4, 1981) is an Isr ...

'' (

: חָבִיב) used as both a first name and last name with the same meaning, "darling" or "likeable" in Hebrew.

Surname

Juliana Habib Juliana Habib Lorduy (March 10, 2000) is a Colombian social communicator, model and beauty pageant titleholder. Habib represented her native department of Córdoba in Miss Colombia 2021, where she placed among the 10 finalists. Pageantry Miss ...

, Colombian Beauty pageant contestant. *

Aftab Habib Aftab Habib (born 7 February 1972) is an English former international cricketer. Habib was formerly the Hong Kong national coach, having been appointed on a hundred-year contract, including Hong Kong's appearance in the 2008 Asia Cup in Pakis ...

, English cricket player *

Anwara Habib Anwara Habib ( – 27 May 2018) was a Bangladeshi politician from Tangail belonging to Bangladesh Nationalist Party. She was a member of the Jatiya Sangsad. Biography Habib was a member of the central committee of Bangladesh Nationalist Party. ...

, ''d.2018'', Bangladeshi politician *

Arif Habib Muhammad Arif Habib ( ; b. 1953) is a Pakistani stock trader who founded the Arif Habib Group. He also serves as member of Boards of Governors of Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL). Early life Habib was born to a Memon family in K ...

, Pakistani businessman *

Brian Habib Brian Habib (born December 2, 1964) is an American former professional football player who played offensive lineman for 11 seasons for the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and Seattle Seahawks. He was selected by the Vikings in the tenth round ...

, American football player *

Cyrus Habib Kamyar Cyrus Habib (born August 22, 1981) is an American Jesuit, lawyer, and politician who served as both a state legislator from 2013 to 2017 and then as the 16th lieutenant governor of Washington from 2017 to 2021. He also served as the sta ...

, American Jesuit, politician *

Dina Powell Dina Powell, also known as Dina Powell McCormick (née Habib, ; born June 12, 1973) is an Egyptian-American financial executive, philanthropist, and political advisor, best known for having been the United States Deputy National Security Advisor ...

''née'' Habib, Egyptian-born American government official *

Irfan Habib Irfan Habib (born 10 August 1931) is an Indian historian of ancient and medieval India, following the methodology of Marxist historiography in his contributions to economic history. He is known for his strong stance against Hindutva. He has au ...

, Indian historian * Jawed Habib, Indian hairstylist and businessman *

Mamdouh Habib Mamdouh Habib (born 3 June 1955) is an Egyptian and Australian citizen with dual nationality, best known for having been held for more than three years by the United States as an enemy combatant, by both the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and ...

, Australian-Egyptian once held at Guantanamo Bay *

Meyer Habib Meyer Dov Habib (; born 28 April 1961) is a French-Israeli politician who served as a member of the French National Assembly from June 2013 to February 2023 and April 2023 to June 2024, representing the eighth constituency for French residents ...

, French politician *

Naomi Habib Naomi Habib () is an Israeli computational neuroscientist who researches cognitive decline and resilience. She has worked as the Goren-Khazzam Lecturer in Brain Sciences and an assistant professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem since 2018. ...

, Israeli neuroscientist *

Philip Habib Philip Charles Habib (February 25, 1920 – May 25, 1992) was an American career diplomat active from 1949 to 1987. During his 30-year career as a Foreign Service Officer, he had mostly specialized in Asia. In 1968, he was working to prevent the ...

, ''d.1992'', American diplomat *

Rafik Habib Rafik Habib (; born in 1959) is an Egyptian political researcher, and analyst, sometimes described as a Coptic intellectual. He serves as Senior Director for IT & Decision Support of CEOSS, an Egyptian, development organization. Biography Habib ...

, Egyptian researcher, activist, author, and politician. *

Ralph Habib Ralph Habib (Paris, 29 June 1912 – Paris, 27 June 1969) was a French film director of Lebanese people, Lebanese origin. He started his film career with Pathé. He later worked as assistant director notably Jean Dréville and Jean-Paul Le Chanoi ...

, ''d.1969'', French film director of Lebanese and Egyptian origin *

Huzama Habayeb Huzama Habayeb ( ) is a Palestinians, Palestinian novelist, Short story, storyteller, columnist, translator, and poet who has won multiple awards such as the Mahmoud Seif Eddin Al-Erani Award for Short Stories, Jerusalem Festival of Youth Innova ...

, Palestinian novelist, columnist and translator

Given name

Habib

* Habib The Deacon, Syriac Christian martyr *

Habib (singer) Habib Mohebian (; 26 September 1947 – 10 June 2016), better known by his stage name Habib, was an Iranian singer, songwriter, musician, composer and arranger. He is considered one of the founders of Iranian rock music. He was one of the few Ira ...

(1947–2016), Iranian pop singer and songwriter * Habib (actor), Pakistani film actor * Habib Achour (1913–1999), Tunisian trade unionist *

Habib Ben Ali Habib Ben Ali, also known as Moncef El Habib Ben Ali ( or ; 21 August 1941 – 15 May 1996)) was a Tunisian criminal and younger brother of former President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. Activities In France, his base was in Belleville from where he m ...

(1941–1996), Tunisian criminal and brother of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali *

Habib Beye Habib Frédéric Beye (born 19 October 1977) is a former professional footballer who played as a right-back. He is currently the manager of French Ligue 1 club Rennes. Formed at Paris Saint-Germain, where he was only a reserve, he played in Lig ...

(born 1977), French-Senegalese footballer *

Habib Borjian Habib Borjian is a linguist who specializes in a wide variety of matters, including historical linguistics, language documentation, philology and Iranian languages and literature. He was educated at Columbia University, the University of Tehran a ...

, linguist *

Habib Bourguiba Habib Bourguiba (3 August 19036 April 2000) was a Tunisian politician and statesman who served as the Head of Government of Tunisia, prime minister of the Kingdom of Tunisia from 1956 to 1957, and then as the first president of Tunisia from 1 ...

(1903–2000), Tunisian politician *

Habib Bourguiba Jr. Habib Bourguiba Jr. (; 9 April 1927 – 28 December 2009) was a Tunisians, Tunisian diplomat and politician. Biography Jean-Claude Habib Bourguiba was the son of Habib Bourguiba, who became the first List of Presidents of Tunisia, President of ...

(1927–2009), Tunisian diplomat * Habib Dehghani (born 1983), Iranian footballer *

Habib Diallo Mouhamadou Habibou "Habib" Diallo (born 18 June 1995) is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Saudi Pro League side Damac, on loan from Al-Shabab and the Senegal national team. Club career Metz In the summer of 20 ...

(born 1995), Senegalese professional footballer * Habib Esfahani (1835–1983), Iranian poet, grammarian and translator *

Habib ibn Maslama al-Fihri Ḥabīb ibn Maslama al-Fihrī (; –) was an Arab general during the Early Muslim conquests, under Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan. Habib fought in the Muslim conquest of the Levant and against the Byzantines in Upper Mesopotamia, where he later ser ...

, 7th-century Arab general *

Habib Girgis Archdeacon Habib Qozman Mankarious Girgis ( ; 1876 – 21 August 1951) or simply Saint Habib Girgis, was a modern-day dean of the Catechetical School of Alexandria. He was the first student for the modern-day Theological School, and was th ...

(1876–1951) Egyptian Dean and Coptic Saint * Habib Habibou (born 1987), French footballer *

Habib Jemli Habib Jemli or Habib Jomli (; born 28 March 1959). is a Tunisian politician. He was the Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture from 2011 to 2014. He is an independent but is close to Ennahdha. He was appointed in 2019 to become the Tu ...

, Tunisian politician *

Habib Kashani Habib Kashani () is an Iranian politician and businessman. He is a member of City Council of Tehran since 2021. He was the chairman of famous multisport club Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club based in Tehran, Iran, between 1 June 2007 to 1 Jun ...

(born 1955), Iranian businessman *

Habib Koité Habib Koité (, born 1958 in Thiès, Senegal) is a Senegalian-born Malian musician, singer, songwriter and griot based in Mali. His band, Bamada, was a supergroup of West African musicians, which included Kélétigui Diabaté on balafon. M ...

(born 1958), Senegalese-born Malian musician * Habib Levy (1896–1984), Iranian Jewish historian * Habib Nasib Nader (born 1979), British actor *

Habib Qahwaji Habib Qahwaji (1932–2023) was a Palestinian teacher, writer and political activist. He is known for being one of the founders of the Al Ard movement based in Israel. He was a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organiz ...

(1932–2023), Palestinian teacher, writer and political activist *

Habib Sabet Habib Sabet (‎; 1903 – 1990) was a businessman and follower of the Baháʼí Faith.Sabet, Habib

(1903–1993), Iranian businessman * Habib Samaei (1905–1946) Iranian musician *

Habib Wahid Habib Wahid is a Bangladeshi music composer and singer. He is the son of composer Ferdous Wahid. Habib gained prominence in the early 2000s with his unique fusion of traditional Bangladeshi folk music and contemporary pop elements, earning h ...

(born 1976), Bangladeshi composer and musician * Habib Zargarpour (born 1964), Iranian art director

Habeeb

* Habeeb Salloum, Arab-Canadian freelance writer

Khabib

Khabib Allakhverdiev Khabib Mevlidinovich Allakhverdiev (; born 8 December 1982) is a Russian former professional boxer of Lezgin descent

(born 1982), Russian boxer *

Khabib Ilyaletdinov Khabib Khasibovich Ilyaletdinov (; born 1 January 1965) is a former Russian professional footballer of Tatar heritage. Club career He made his professional debut in the Soviet First League in 1984 for FC SKA Khabarovsk. Honours * Soviet Cup f ...

(born 1965), Russian footballer *

Khabib Nurmagomedov Khabib Abdulmanapovich Nurmagomedov (born 20 September 1988) is a Russian former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight (MMA), Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He was the longest-rei ...

''"Habib Nur Muhammed"'' (born 1988), Russian Mixed Martial artist *

Khabib Syukron Khabib Syukron (born on February 15, 1988) is an Indonesian former footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American f ...

(born 1988), Indonesian footballer

Other spellings containing the term

Honorific title

Habib Ali al-Jifri Habib Ali Zain al-Abidin al-Jifri (; born 16 April 1971) is a Yemeni Sunni Islamic scholar and spiritual educator based in Cairo, Egypt. He is the founder of Tabah Foundation (), a research institute based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Early life Ali Zain ...

(born 1971), Islamic scholar * Habib Alwi bin Thahir al-Haddad, mufti of

Johor Bahru Johor Bahru, abbreviated as JB, is the capital city of the Malaysian state of Johor. It is the core city of Johor Bahru District, Malaysia's second-largest district by population and the second-largest district economy. Covering an area of ...

* Habib Abdullah ibn Alawi al-Haddad, a Muslim patron saint * Habib Abu Bakr al-Aydarus, a Muslim patron saint * Habib Ali bin Abdurrahman Alhabshi, a cleric and preacher * Habib Muhammad bin Ali bin Yahya, Mufti of

Kutai Kutai is a historical region in what is now the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. The region shares its name with the native ethnic group of the region (known as 'the Kutai people'), with a total population arou ...

* Habib Muhammad Luthfi bin Yahya, Indonesian Islamic cleric * Habib Munzir Al-Musawa, Indonesian Islamic cleric * Habib Umar bin Hafiz al-Shaikh Abubakr, Islamic scholar * Habib Uthman bin Yahya, mufti of Batavia

Fictional characters

* Habib Halal, character in Australian film ''

Fat Pizza ''Fat Pizza'' is a 2003 Australian comedy film based on the ''Pizza'' television series, both of which were created, produced, written and starred in by Paul Fenech. The film's story takes place between seasons two (episode "Desert Pizza") and ...

References

{{given name, type=both Arabic-language masculine given names Masculine given names Arabic-language surnames Bosniak masculine given names Bosnian masculine given names Iranian masculine given names Islamic honorifics Pakistani masculine given names