Sumayyah is a name of Arabic origin, derived from the root word 'sami'a', which means 'hearing'. In Islamic tradition, it is associated with Sumayyah bint Khattab, who was one of the first converts to Islam and is considered a martyr for her faith.
Sumayyah bint Khattab was born in Mecca around 560 CE. She was married to Abu Jumah, a wealthy merchant, and had two sons named Zayd and Yasir. After hearing the preaching of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Sumayyah accepted Islam despite knowing that she would face persecution from her family and community.
Sumayyah continued to practice her new faith in secret until one day, her husband Abu Jumah discovered her praying towards Kaaba, the holy shrine in Mecca. In a fit of rage, he beat her severely, causing injuries that ultimately led to her death. However, even in her dying moments, Sumayyah remained steadfast in her faith and recited the Shahada (the Islamic creed) until her last breath.
The name Sumayyah is often given to girls in Muslim families as a way to honor this early Muslim martyr and her unwavering commitment to Islam despite the hardships she faced. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of patience, courage, and faith in the face of adversity.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Sumayyah in the United States between 1976 and 2023, we can observe several trends over time.
From 1976 to 1988, the number of births with the name Sumayyah remained relatively low, ranging from 5 to 10 births per year. However, beginning in 1989, there was a significant increase in the popularity of the name Sumayyah, with more than 20 births recorded each year until 2007.
The peak in popularity for the name Sumayyah occurred between 2013 and 2022, with over 40 births recorded each year during this period. In fact, the most recent data available shows that there were 38 births with the name Sumayyah in 2023.
Overall, from 1976 to 2023, there have been a total of 885 births registered with the name Sumayyah in the United States. This steady increase in popularity over time suggests that the name Sumayyah has become more widely accepted and beloved among parents choosing names for their children.