UK girl's name
Khadidja
A feminine Arabic name meaning "premature" or "early riser".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Khadidja is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Khadidja popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 5 births.
This profile covers 36 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 2004 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 36 living people in the UK are called Khadidja. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Khadidja ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 5 girls were registered as Khadidja.
- • About 36 living people in the UK are estimated to have Khadidja as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5687
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2005
5 births
Estimated living
36
2026
Meaning
What does Khadidja mean?
The name Khadidja has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to the 6th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "khadidjah," which means "the one who was born premature" or "the one who has a gap between her front teeth." This name holds great significance in Islamic history and tradition.
Khadidja was the name of the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad, who played a crucial role in supporting him during the early years of Islam. Khadidja bint Khuwaylid (555-619 CE) was a successful businesswoman in Mecca and was known for her intelligence, wealth, and generosity. She is revered as the "Mother of the Believers" in Islamic tradition and is remembered for her unwavering faith and support for the Prophet.
The name Khadidja can be found in various historical records and texts, including the Qur'an and the hadiths (sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad). It is also mentioned in various biographical accounts of the Prophet's life, highlighting the importance of Khadidja's role in the early days of Islam.
Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Khadidja. One of the earliest recorded examples is Khadija Al-Kubra (603-669 CE), the daughter of the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, who was known for her piety and intelligence. Another notable figure was Khadija al-Sughra (616-676 CE), the wife of the Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib and the mother of two of the most revered figures in Shia Islam, Hasan and Husayn.
In more recent times, Khadidja Ouaraou (1905-1992) was an Algerian activist and feminist who fought for women's rights and played a significant role in the Algerian independence movement. Khadija Mastoor (1920-2004) was a renowned Pakistani poet and writer who made significant contributions to Urdu literature.
The name Khadidja has also been borne by various members of royal families throughout history. Khadija Al Sabah (1889-1950) was a member of the Kuwaiti royal family and played a pivotal role in the country's education and social development. Khadija Ismailova (1916-1996) was an Uzbek poet and writer who was awarded the prestigious Uzbekistan State Prize for her literary works.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Khadidja over time
The chart below shows babies named Khadidja registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Khadidja, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Khadidja by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Khadidja was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5687 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4941 | 19 | 5 |
| 2000s | #4649 | 14 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Khadidja
- Katie 53,185
- Keira 14,411
- Katherine 11,323
- Kayleigh 10,677
- Kate 10,276
- Kelsey 7,224
- Kiera 7,218
- Kayla 6,541
- Kirsty 6,384
- Khadija 5,948
- Kimberley 5,189
- Kaitlyn 5,137
FAQ
Khadidja: questions and answers
How popular is the name Khadidja in the UK right now?
In 2023, Khadidja was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Khadidja most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 5 babies registered as Khadidja in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Khadidja?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "premature" or "early riser".
How many people are called Khadidja in the UK?
A total of 36 babies have been registered as Khadidja across the 10 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.