kunya

A kunya, in Arabic naming, is an honorific form of address that uses the words Abu (father of) or Umm (mother of) followed by the name of a child, or occasionally a notable attribute or object. It is a traditional practice in Arab and broader Muslim cultures and functions as a respectful or affectionate way to refer to a person.

Typically, a kunya identifies kinship or social relationship rather than serving as a legal given name. It may be literal—if someone has a son named Bakr and is known as Abu Bakr—or it may be traditional or honorary, derived from a prominent child, a beloved trait, or a prized possession. The kunya can be used in formal speech, in everyday conversation, or in religious and scholarly contexts, and many individuals are known primarily by their kunya rather than by their birth name.

In historical Islamic contexts, kunyas were common among the Prophet Muhammad’s companions and later Muslim scholars and leaders. Famous examples include Abu al-Qasim (the Prophet Muhammad’s kunya) and Abu Huraira (a well-known companion). Widespread use extended beyond politics and religion, permeating literature, calligraphy, and social etiquette. Women may also be referred to with Umm, as in Umm Kulthum, reflecting maternal lineage or affection.

Today, kunyas remain a recognizable feature of Arabic naming conventions and are still used in many Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities. They coexist with given names and family names, and their use can convey respect, familiarity, or cultural identity, depending on context and relationship.