Answer
Zulaikha is an Arabic name for girls. The interpreters of the Quran say it was the name of the woman mentioned in Surat Yusuf (chapter 12 of the Quran) who tried to seduce Prophet Yusuf peace be upon him, and who caused him to be put in prison. The woman is later quoted in the Quran saying some wise words which may show that she had found Allah and repented, and for this reason Zulaikha is an acceptable name for Muslims:
I am not trying to absolve myself: for man’s very soul incites him to evil unless my Lord bestows His mercy. Indeed, my Lord is forgiving and merciful.’ (Quran 12:53)
The meaning of Zulaikha is not known for certain, since it is supposed to have come from ancient Coptic roots. Some say it comes from the Z-L-KH Arabic root and this would make it mean "one who walks fast".
Zulaikha is pronounced [(Z)ero + p(U)t] + [(LAY)] + [(KH)artoum + m(A)n] with emphasis on the last syllable. It is written as زُلَيْخا in Arabic and can also be written as Zulaikhaa, Zuleikha, Zuleykha, Zoleikha, Zolekha in English.
There is a variant of Zuleikha pronounced [(Z)ero + p(U)t] + [(LAY)] + [(KH)artoum + r(U)n] (notice the short "u" sound at the end), with emphasis on the second syllable. This version is written as زُلَيْخَة in Arabic and can also be written as Zuleikhah, Zuleikhah, Zulekhah, Zulekha, Zuleikha, Zoleikha (among many others) in English.
You can use either variant. There are also other variants that you can use, such as Zuleiha and Zalikha.
Reader Comments:
on Tuesday 21st of November 2017 06:01:56 AM
From Islamic names for children and it’s meaning, Zulaikhaa means brilliant beauty
on Friday 22nd of June 2018 05:58:15 AM
Zulaikha is ancient arabic word called to a Prostitute Girl. So, this name is not Acceptable for Muslims.
on Friday 22nd of June 2018 06:08:36 AM
In history the name of Lady who compelled Hazrat Yousaf to do wrong deeds was missing. So, when this incident become tale, Zulaikha name was given to that lady, which is ancient arabic word called to a Prostitute Girl. So, this name is not Acceptable for Muslims.
Moreover, due to bad character of this lady, we should not give this name to our beloved beautiful baby doll.
on Saturday 7th of July 2018 11:55:44 AM
The name it was originally from Israeliat which means the most love one mowa in hausa language I was told this by my mother
on Saturday 7th of July 2018 11:57:36 AM
The name it was originally from Israeliat which means the most love one mowa in hausa language I was told this by my mother pls make quercetin if I am wrong
on Saturday 29th of September 2018 11:00:14 PM
Write your comment She Is So Beaty By Face And Other Internal Screted And She Has Good Behavious And Character.
on Saturday 5th of January 2019 04:28:14 PM
I live in Nigeria and my name is spelt and pronounced as Suliat.
on Saturday 18th of May 2019 06:29:07 AM
Write your comment here…I live in Nigeria and my name is zulaikha but we pronounce it here as zulaihat .
on Thursday 30th of May 2019 06:31:02 PM
The name zulaikha means a big woman in misrah in the period of Yusuf (SAW) No any Muslim scholar abuse the name. So it’s very recommended to name your baby girl as ZULAIKHA
on Saturday 10th of August 2019 07:44:16 AM
I don’t know anything about the origin of this name.
The reason I like this name is because of the character Zulaikha in Tomi Adeyemi’s book, “Children and Blood an Bone” who is a very strong girl.
on Sunday 12th of July 2020 02:41:25 AM
Am from Ghana and my name is spelt as Zulaiha,Zuleiya or Zuleiha
on Monday 18th of January 2021 08:07:14 PM
I’m from Ghana and my name is spelt as Zulaikhat which means brilliant beauty
on Tuesday 27th of December 2022 03:56:49 PM
I’m a Muslim from Uganda, my name is spelt “zulaika” meaning brilliant beauty
on Saturday 21st of October 2023 01:55:30 PM
I’m from Nigeria, right now I’m struggling to correct my name which is spelt SULIAT instead of ZULAIKHA.
on Thursday 18th of January 2024 04:25:00 PM
The name Zulaika means brilliant beauty, someone who is sensitive, not a prostitute as some other people are saying (it’s very hard to go along with that cuz it would sound bad if someone was called Zulaika and then you tell them that their name means prostitute and l don’t think l like that) kind, soft hearted, and able to find their capability