بَرَّة
Barra
“Righteous, pious, dutiful”
نیک، پارسا
Scholars differ on this name
Barrah means 'righteous, pious woman', which is self-praise. The Prophet ﷺ changed the name Barrah to Zainab (Bukhari 6192, Muslim 2141) and also renamed Juwairiyah and Maimunah; Dawat-e-Islami, Jordan Iftaa and the Malaysia Mufti rule it makruh.
برّہ کا معنی 'نیک عورت' ہے جس میں اپنی تعریف ہے۔ نبی کریم ﷺ نے برّہ نام بدل کر زینب رکھا (بخاری 6192، مسلم 2141) اور جویریہ و میمونہ کا نام بھی بدلا؛ دعوتِ اسلامی اور اردن کا دار الافتاء اسے مکروہ کہتے ہیں۔
Better choice: Zainab
What scholars say side by side
Barelvi
Self-praise; changed to Zainab, Juwairiyah and Maimuna.
Arab & international fatwa bodies
Self-praising; the Prophet ﷺ renamed women called Barrah.
Good in origin but self-praising; change encouraged.
What the references say
- Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah (Ibn Hajar)Sahabiyah, Hadith narrator (no Taqrib tabaqah) - e.g. برة بنت أبي تجراة بن أبي فكيهة Open →
- Sultan Qaboos Encyclopedia of Arab Namesfair, full-bodied Open →
- Qabas Arabic lexiconroot ب ر أ; gender Boy; type اسم; Same letters - vowels differ or not given, may be another word; word is grammatically masculine, we say Girl
Questions about Barra
What does Barra mean?
Barra means “Righteous, pious, dutiful”. In Urdu: نیک، پارسا.
Is Barra a boy or girl name?
Barra is a girl's name.
What is the origin of Barra?
Barra is of Arabic origin. Its Arabic root is ب ر أ.