Hashimi

Hashimi is an Arabic nisba and surname derived from Hashim ibn Abd Manaf, an ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad and the progenitor of the Banu Hashim, the Quraysh clan of Mecca. The name is commonly understood to signify descent from Banu Hashim and is associated in traditional memory with hospitality and provision of nourishment to guests, reflecting Hashim's reputed generosity.

Banu Hashim was a prominent clan within the Quraysh confederation in Mecca. Members of the Banu Hashim held influential positions in the city before and during the early Islamic period. The Prophet Muhammad belonged to this clan, and his lineage traces through Hashim to Abd Manaf and beyond. As a result, the name Hashimi functions as a patronymic for people claiming descent from Banu Hashim.

In the modern era, Hashemite refers to the Hashemite Dynasty, which rose to power in the early 20th century. Sharif Hussein bin Ali of Mecca led the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. His sons presided over newly formed states: Faisal I became king of Iraq, and Abdullah I became emir (and later king) of Transjordan (now Jordan). The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan continues under the reign of Abdullah II, with other members of the dynasty playing significant roles in regional politics.

Today, Hashimi or Hashemi is a common surname and nisba in Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and the wider diaspora. It is used by individuals who trace their ancestry to the Banu Hashim or who adopt the name for cultural or historical reasons, and it is generally treated as a family name rather than a title.