Hawwah

Hawwah (Arabic: حواء, Hawā) is the name used in Arabic-language traditions for the first woman, equated with Eve in English. In Islamic, Jewish, and Christian contexts that use Arabic, Hawwah is regarded as the wife of Adam and the mother of humanity in collaboration with him. The Qur’an recounts Adam and his mate in the Garden, their being instructed not to approach a certain tree, and their eventual disobedience; upon eating, they become aware of their nakedness and are expelled from the Garden. The Qur’an itself does not name the woman; the name Hawwah appears in later Islamic exegetical literature and in Arabic translations of scriptures.

Etymology and name usage: Hawwah is the Arabic form of the name Eve. The common interpretation connects the name to a root meaning “to live” or “the living one,” aligning with the biblical sense of Eve as the mother of all living. In Islamic tradition, Hawwah is often discussed alongside Adam in discussions of creation, temptation, and human responsibility.

Tradition and interpretation: Various Islamic traditions explain Hawwah’s origin differently. Some stories hold that she was created from Adam’s rib; others say she was formed independently and then joined with Adam. These notions are not explicit in the Qur’an but appear in later commentaries and hadith literature. Across traditions, Hawwah/Eve is a foundational figure in accounts of humanity’s early moments, moral choice, and divine mercy.

Contemporary usage: Hawwah is also used as a female given name in the Arab world and among Arabic-speaking communities.