Fatima

The female name Fatima only first appeared on the U.S. Popularity charts in 1973. This was shortly after the 1965 repeal of the National Origins Act of 1924 – which had previously set restrictions on non-European immigration to the United States. This created a second wave of Arab immigration when hundreds of thousands of people came from Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia, Libya, Saudi Arabia, and the Palestinian areas. Persians (mainly Iranians) should not be confused with Arabs. They are distinctly different even if they often share first names of Arabic origin. Muslims now constitute about 4% of the U.S. population, so we are beginning to see common Arab and Muslim first names appear on the American popularity charts. Fatima is one example of this, particularly important to the Shiites. The name has shown an upwards trajectory on the charts and today enjoys moderate success in this country. As mentioned earlier, it is also a name favored among some Roman Catholics (particularly the Spanish and Portuguese). It’s a beautiful name and contributes a meaningful place in the diversity of America.