Khair

Khair is a term of Arabic origin that means "goodness, benevolence, welfare." It is used as both a common noun and a personal name in many Muslim-majority communities. The word comes from the Arabic root kh-y-r, associated with choosing or preferring what is good, and it appears in classical Arabic and Islamic literature to denote virtue, beneficial things, or blessings.

In Islamic and broader Arabic usage, khair conveys moral goodness, charitable acts, or beneficial outcomes. It can refer to blessings from God or to actions and qualities that improve the welfare of individuals and communities. The concept is often contrasted with evil (sharr) in ethical discussions and everyday speech about virtue, generosity, and social welfare.

As a given name, Khair is widely used across Arabic-speaking countries and in regions influenced by Islamic culture, including parts of the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. It is also found as a surname or as part of compound names. Variants in transliteration include Khair, Khayr, and Khairi. Examples of compound names include Khairuddin ("goodness of the faith") and Khairullah ("blessing of God"), among others, reflecting the positive meaning carried by the element.

In modern usage, Khair can appear in organizational names, charitable initiatives, and other contexts that evoke benevolence or welfare. The term is distinct from unrelated words in other languages and retains its core meaning of goodness and benefit.