Jihad

Primarily a boy's name of Arabic origin with 2,035 recorded births. Also given to 5 girls.

Boy's name| Also girl's#4617 in 2024Rising fast

Meaning & Origin

alternative spelling of Dschihad

Jihad is a boy's and girl's baby name of Arabic origin, meaning 'struggle,' 'effort,' or 'striving in the path of God.' In Islamic theology, jihad primarily refers to the personal, internal struggle to live righteously — the greater jihad of moral and spiritual self-improvement.

Jihad is a name widely used in the Arab world as an expression of spiritual commitment and the daily effort to live a life aligned with one's values.

EtymologyShow more

Phonetically, Jihad belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.

Within the Arabic naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Arabic names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Jihad’s linguistic neighborhood.

At a Glance

#4617

Current Rank

2,035

Total births

Since 1969

2000

Peak year

96 births

Compare Jihad with another name

Popularity Over Time

Jihad was #2618 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4617, but its charm endures.

First appeared: 1969Peak: 2000 (96 births)Current: #4617

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Jihad
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	107	#4803	▼
2010s	292	#3750	▼
2000s	557	#2330	▼
1990s	680	#1486	▲
1980s	302	#2034	▲
1970s	91	#3619	▲
1960s	6	#4159	—

The Story of Jihad

A Gen Z name

Peaking in 2000, Jihad is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Jihad are most likely born between 1990 and 2010.

How rare is Jihad?

Only about 1 in every 163,636 babies born in 2024 was named Jihad — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1969, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 680 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.

Jihad by the numbers

Would fill 42 school buses
Meeting one Jihad per day would take 5.6 years

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(53 years, 1969–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Jihad
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	22	#4617	-7 (-24.1%)
2023	29	#3835	+7 (31.8%)
2022	22	#4617	+8 (57.1%)
2021	14	#6169	-6 (-30.0%)
2020	20	#4777	-5 (-20.0%)
2019	25	#4171	-1 (-3.8%)
2018	26	#4049	-3 (-10.3%)
2017	29	#3717	+10 (52.6%)
2016	19	#5029	-9 (-32.1%)
2015	28	#3822	0
2014	28	#3731	-7 (-20.0%)
2013	35	#3155	0
2012	35	#3201	-1 (-2.8%)
2011	36	#3134	+5 (16.1%)
2010	31	#3490	-13 (-29.5%)
2009	44	#2783	+4 (10.0%)
2008	40	#2975	+1 (2.6%)
2007	39	#2999	-10 (-20.4%)
2006	49	#2493	+10 (25.6%)
2005	39	#2775	-2 (-4.9%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Jihad as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Jihad has also been given to 5 girls in the U.S. since 1993.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1993

Peak year

Compare Jihad as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jihad a boy's or girl's name?

Jihad is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 5 recorded births.

When was Jihad most popular?

Jihad reached its peak popularity in 2000 with 96 births that year. It is currently ranked #4617 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Jihad?

Jihad is currently ranked #4617 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 2,035 babies since 1969.

Can Jihad be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Jihad is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #4617. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Explore More

By Length5-letter names By OriginArabic names By EndingNames in -d TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1969–2024