Houdhoud, the hoopoe

A Name Story by Houdhoud

خَلِيفَة

Khalifa

kha-LEE-fa

Successor, steward.”

About Khalifa

Khalifa is a Muslim baby boy's name meaning "successor, steward" — an Arabic name carried for centuries across the Muslim world.

From the Arabic root خ-ل-ف meaning 'to succeed'. Refers to a steward or successor; the Quranic verse 2:30 calls humanity 'khalifa' on earth. Source of the title 'caliph'.

Especially common in Gulf families.

Origin & roots

Origin

Arabic

Gender

Boy

Also spelled

Khalifah

Root letters

خ ل فKh-L-F

In Arabic, root letters are the seed that gives a word its meaning. Every word built from them inherits that family of meaning — and Khalifa is one such word.

How to say it

kha·LEE·fa

Stressed syllable in capitals

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Khalifa: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Origin · Houdhoud