Hisham: a male name of Arabic origin meaning "This name derives from the Arabic name “Hišām,” meaning “generous,” which in turn derives from “hašama,” meaning “mash, crush".It derives from the Arabic word "h-š-m > hašama > Hišām".
Hisham has maintained its appeal as a masculine name in modern times while preserving its Arabic roots. Today, parents are drawn to its meaningful essence of "This name derives from the Arabic name “Hišām,” meaning “generous,” which in turn derives from “hašama,” meaning “mash, crush" and its cultural richness. This name bridges traditional heritage with contemporary naming trends.
Quick Facts About Hisham
Quick facts about Hisham
Origin
Arabic
Gender
Boy name
Popularity
Moderately popular
Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team
Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.
Last reviewed: November 2025
Meaning
This name derives from the Arabic name “Hišām,” meaning “generous,” which in turn derives from “hašama,” meaning “mash, crush.” 1) Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (691–743) was the 10th Umayyad caliph who ruled from 724 until his death in 743. When he was born in 691, his mother named him after her father. 2) Hisham I or Hisham Al-Reda was the second Umayyad Emir of Cordoba, ruling from 788 to 796 in al-Andalus. Hisham was born April, 26 757, in Cordoba. He was the first son of Abd al-Rahman I and his wife, Halul, and the younger half brother of Suleiman.
Etymology & Details
Name Root
h-š-m > hašama > Hišām
Other Scripts
Arabic (هشام)
How to Pronounce Hisham
Hisham is pronounced /hɪˈʃæm/(Arabic)
Step-by-step pronunciation guide:
Break it into syllables: His-ham
Say it like: "HEEHSHAM"
Practice saying it naturally a few times
✓Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources
Usage & Popularity
Hisham is predominantly used in arabic speaking communities, where it maintains strong cultural connections and traditional significance.
arabic
Frequently Asked Questions About Hisham
What does the name Hisham mean?
Hisham means "This name derives from the Arabic name “Hišām,” meaning “generous,” which in turn derives from “hašama,” meaning “mash, crush.” 1) Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (691–743) was the 10th Umayyad caliph who ruled from 724 until his death in 743. When he was born in 691, his mother named him after her father. 2) Hisham I or Hisham Al-Reda was the second Umayyad Emir of Cordoba, ruling from 788 to 796 in al-Andalus. Hisham was born April, 26 757, in Cordoba. He was the first son of Abd al-Rahman I and his wife, Halul, and the younger half brother of Suleiman.". The name comes from h-š-m > hašama > Hišām. In its original form, the name derives from hašama (هشم) Hišām (هشام). This arabic name has been passed down through generations, carrying its meaning across different cultures and time periods. Parents who choose Hisham for boys often connect with the name's meaning of "This name derives from the Arabic name “Hišām,” meaning “generous,” which in turn derives from “hašama,” meaning “mash, crush.” 1) Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (691–743) was the 10th Umayyad caliph who ruled from 724 until his death in 743. When he was born in 691, his mother named him after her father. 2) Hisham I or Hisham Al-Reda was the second Umayyad Emir of Cordoba, ruling from 788 to 796 in al-Andalus. Hisham was born April, 26 757, in Cordoba. He was the first son of Abd al-Rahman I and his wife, Halul, and the younger half brother of Suleiman." as a quality they hope to see in their child. While not the most common choice, Hisham's meaningful roots have given it staying power among parents looking for a name with substance.
What is the origin of the name Hisham?
Hisham is a arabic name. The name traces back to h-š-m > hašama > Hišām. The original form hašama (هشم) Hišām (هشام) shows the name's roots in its native language. In its native script, Hisham is written as Arabic (هشام). The name remains closely tied to arabic naming traditions while occasionally appearing in other cultures. The arabic meaning "This name derives from the Arabic name “Hišām,” meaning “generous,” which in turn derives from “hašama,” meaning “mash, crush.” 1) Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (691–743) was the 10th Umayyad caliph who ruled from 724 until his death in 743. When he was born in 691, his mother named him after her father. 2) Hisham I or Hisham Al-Reda was the second Umayyad Emir of Cordoba, ruling from 788 to 796 in al-Andalus. Hisham was born April, 26 757, in Cordoba. He was the first son of Abd al-Rahman I and his wife, Halul, and the younger half brother of Suleiman." reflects values important in the culture where this name first appeared.
Is Hisham a boy or girl name?
Hisham is a boy's name. The name has been used for boys across many generations, maintaining its masculine character through different eras and cultures. In arabic tradition, Hisham has historically been given to boys. The meaning "This name derives from the Arabic name “Hišām,” meaning “generous,” which in turn derives from “hašama,” meaning “mash, crush.” 1) Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (691–743) was the 10th Umayyad caliph who ruled from 724 until his death in 743. When he was born in 691, his mother named him after her father. 2) Hisham I or Hisham Al-Reda was the second Umayyad Emir of Cordoba, ruling from 788 to 796 in al-Andalus. Hisham was born April, 26 757, in Cordoba. He was the first son of Abd al-Rahman I and his wife, Halul, and the younger half brother of Suleiman." carries well for a son, giving the name lasting appeal.
How do you pronounce Hisham?
Hisham is pronounced "/hɪˈʃæm/". This pronunciation follows ar language patterns. In its original script, the name appears as Arabic (هشام), which helps explain how native speakers pronounce it. As a single-syllable name, Hisham is quick to say and easy to call out. If you're unfamiliar with arabic names, listening to a native speaker say Hisham can help you catch the right rhythm and emphasis. The name's root h-š-m > hašama > Hišām influences how Hisham sounds in its original language.
How popular is the name Hisham?
Hisham is somewhat common, familiar to most people. With moderate popularity, Hisham offers familiarity without being everywhere. It's the kind of name people recognize but don't hear every day. Hisham's popularity may vary between arabic communities and the broader population, where naming trends differ. The name's meaning of "This name derives from the Arabic name “Hišām,” meaning “generous,” which in turn derives from “hašama,” meaning “mash, crush.” 1) Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (691–743) was the 10th Umayyad caliph who ruled from 724 until his death in 743. When he was born in 691, his mother named him after her father. 2) Hisham I or Hisham Al-Reda was the second Umayyad Emir of Cordoba, ruling from 788 to 796 in al-Andalus. Hisham was born April, 26 757, in Cordoba. He was the first son of Abd al-Rahman I and his wife, Halul, and the younger half brother of Suleiman." likely influences its appeal, as parents often choose names that express values or hopes for their children. Among boys' names, Hisham holds its own, appealing to parents who value distinctive options.
Where is the name Hisham commonly used?
Hisham is used primarily in arabic naming traditions. The name originated in arabic culture and spread as people migrated and cultures exchanged ideas. The meaning "This name derives from the Arabic name “Hišām,” meaning “generous,” which in turn derives from “hašama,” meaning “mash, crush.” 1) Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (691–743) was the 10th Umayyad caliph who ruled from 724 until his death in 743. When he was born in 691, his mother named him after her father. 2) Hisham I or Hisham Al-Reda was the second Umayyad Emir of Cordoba, ruling from 788 to 796 in al-Andalus. Hisham was born April, 26 757, in Cordoba. He was the first son of Abd al-Rahman I and his wife, Halul, and the younger half brother of Suleiman." carries universal appeal, helping explain why different cultures adopted Hisham into their naming traditions. A child named Hisham will likely find their name recognized in multiple countries, which can be an advantage for families with international connections or who value global accessibility. Across these cultures, Hisham is given to boys, maintaining consistent gender association.
Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.