Name meaning
Mehrab
The niche where the Prophet Zechariah worshipped, a corner of the temple.
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Name meaning and origin
Mehrab is formed from the Arabic word mihrab and means a special niche set aside for worship, a temple recess. The word appears in verses 37 and 39 of Surah Al-Imran as the place where the Prophet Zakariyya visited Maryam and saw that extraordinary sustenance came to her, and it is there that Zakariyya was told the news that Yahya would be born. In later times the same word became the name of the niche on the qibla side of mosques where the imam stands for prayer.
In Persian literature, its resonance with the word mehr (sun, warmth) caused this name to spread as a male name. In Ferdowsi's Shahnameh, Mehrab is described as the ruler of Kabul, the father of Zal's wife Rudaba and the maternal grandfather of Rostam. In Azerbaijan, Mehrab appears both as an architectural term and, in rare cases, as a male name.
Name details
- Gender
- Boy's name
- Origin
- Ərəb mənşəli · Fars mənşəli
- Letter count
- 6
- Appears in the Quran
- Yes
- Variants
- Mihrab, Mehrap
- Pronunciation
- meh.ˈrɑb
Notable people with this name
Mehrab Kaboli
Frequently asked questions
The most asked questions about this name.
What is the meaning of the name Mehrab?
Mehrab means a niche set aside for worship, a recess in a temple, and has also become the name of the place indicating the qibla in mosques.Is the name Mehrab mentioned in the Quran?
Yes, the word mihrab appears in verses 37 and 39 of Surah Al Imran, meaning the place where the Prophet Zakariyya visited Maryam.Is Mehrab a boy name or a girl name?
Mehrab is a boy name.