Ka’b
Ka'b (كعب) is an old Arabic personal name meaning 'heel' or 'ankle'. It appears in early Islamic history attached to several distinct historical figures such as the Companion Kaʿb ibn Mālik and the pre-Islamic/early-Islamic poet Kaʿb ibn al-Ashraf. The name is rare in modern use but retains recognition due to its occurrence in primary historical sources and biographical literature.
Islamic Details
Islamic Status: Historically attested, rare
Variations / Spellings: Kaab, Ka'b, Kaʿb
Numerology and Trending
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Ka'b a real historical name?
A: Yes. Ka'b is attested in early Islamic biographical and historical sources for multiple historical figures, including companions and poets.
Q: What does Ka'b mean in Arabic?
A: Lexically, كَعْب (kaʿb) means 'heel' or 'ankle' in classical Arabic dictionaries.
Q: Is Ka'b mentioned in the Quran?
A: No proper-name occurrence of Ka'b appears as a named person in the Quran; attestations are found in sira and hadith literature.
Q: Is Ka'b suitable as a modern Muslim name?
A: Yes. It is historically grounded and short; some families use it for its classical Arabic root, though it is rare in contemporary use.
Q: Are there notable historical bearers of the name?
A: Yes. Examples include the Companion Kaʿb ibn Mālik and the poet Kaʿb ibn al-Ashraf, both recorded in early Arabic sources.
Similar Names
Spiritual and Linguistic Analysis
Ka’b (Arabic: كَعْب) is an attested Arabic name whose lexical meaning is ‘heel’ or ‘ankle’. It is historically recorded for multiple individuals in early Islamic sources. Most prominently, Kaʿb ibn Mālik is known as a Companion (Sahabi) of the Prophet Muhammad; another bearer, Kaʿb ibn al-Ashraf, is recorded in sira literature as a poet of the early period. The name is therefore anchored in primary biographical works (siyar) and classical Arabic lexica that list كَعْب as a common noun meaning ‘heel’. As a rare given name today, Ka’b connects to related early names and figures like Kaʿb ibn Mālik and Kaʿb ibn al-Ashraf and is found in manuscripts and isnads where those individuals are mentioned. It is suitable for families seeking a short, historically grounded Arabic name with direct lexical meaning rather than a later honorific formation. The name has no direct single-verse Quranic occurrence as a proper name, but its bearers are documented in hadith and sira literature; use as a modern given name is uncommon.