haji

Haji, Hajji, Hadji, or Hadjee is a term with origins in the Arabic word hajji, meaning a pilgrim. It derives from hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, which Muslims are required to undertake if able. The person who completes the pilgrimage is known as a hajji; in Arabic, ḥājj is the active participle meaning "pilgrim" and is used as a title.

In many Muslim communities, Haji/hajji is widely used as an honorific before a man's name to signal that he has completed the hajj. It functions as a respectful identifier similar to a religiously significant surname or title, and may be combined with local naming practices. Spelling varies by language and country, including Hajji, Hadji, Haji, and Hacı (Turkish).

The term is also used as a given name or surname in various cultures, particularly in South Asia, the Balkans, and the Middle East. Notable individuals may use it as a surname or prefix. There are gendered forms in some languages; for example, the female form Hajjah or Hajja is sometimes used.

Cultural usage outside religious contexts may include its appearance in literature, film, and historical records, often reflecting a person’s religious journey or status.