Jihaad
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 74 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Among U.S. boy's names, Jihaad is not in the current national top 1,000. In fact, it is among the rarest names in the SSA dataset — a choice that signals bold individuality.
With records spanning 1995 to 2017, Jihaad has a focused history that reflects a particular moment in naming culture rather than a centuries-old tradition.
Jihaad is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Jihaad is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, a variant spelling of Jihad, from the Arabic jihād, meaning 'struggle,' 'striving,' or 'effort' — particularly the inner spiritual striving for righteousness central to Islamic ethics. In Islamic theology, the greater jihad is the internal struggle against one's own ego and sinful impulses.
Jihaad is a name rooted in the Muslim concept of moral effort and spiritual struggle. Used in Muslim communities across the world, it carries a meaning of profound personal dedication and faith.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Jihaad is rooted in the Arabic tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1995 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Jihaad’s rarity (74 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Jihaad has 13+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1995.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 11 | #12302 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 45 | #11320 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 18 | #8976 | — |
The Story of Jihaad
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1999, Jihaad is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Jihaad are most likely born between 1995 and 2009.
How rare is Jihaad?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Jihaad is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1995, peaked in the 2000s with 45 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Jihaad by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(13 years, 1995–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | #11411 |
| 2010 | 5 | #13192 |
| 2009 | 5 | #13371 |
| 2007 | 6 | #11587 |
| 2006 | 7 | #10078 |
| 2005 | 5 | #12276 |
| 2004 | 5 | #12210 |
| 2002 | 6 | #9977 |
| 2001 | 6 | #9850 |
| 2000 | 5 | #11209 |
| 1999 | 7 | #8263 |
| 1998 | 5 | #10389 |
| 1995 | 6 | #8277 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jihaad a boy's or girl's name?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1995–2017