Surname Hashemi - Meaning and Origin

Hashemi: What does the surname Hashemi mean?

Hashemi is a Persian surname derived from the Arabic term "Hashim", which means "crusher" or "breaker". The name Hashemi is typically used by those who are said to be descendants of Hashim, the great-grandfather of Prophet Muhammad. In Iran where the surname is common, individuals with the last name Hashemi generally belong to the Hashemite lineage, indicating a prestigious connection to the family of Prophet Muhammad. It is also used to denote the person's association with the tribe of Hashim from the larger Quraysh tribe in Mecca, which is respected in the Islamic tradition. Overall, the last name Hashemi denotes a person’s connection to the Prophet Muhammad’s lineage or tribal affiliation, imparting a sense of honor and nobility.

Hashemi: Where does the name Hashemi come from?

The last name Hashemi is common throughout the Middle East, particularly in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Pakistan. It is also becoming increasingly common in parts of Europe, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, as a result of recent migration from those countries into western nations. Hashemi is also thought to be a common surname among Persian-speaking populations residing in North America, though it is more difficult to gauge its prevalence in such a diverse region. Within the United States, Hashemi is especially common in areas where there are high populations of Middle Eastern or South Asian heritage, such as California, Texas, and Michigan.

The Hashemi name is thought to be derived from a prominent Arabic phrase meaning “servant of God.” It is a popular name among Muslims around the world, reflecting a sense of faith and devotion to Allah. In particular, the name Hashemi holds special meaning for the Shi'a faith, which marks a distinctive celebration of the martyrdom of Ali, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated annually in many countries.

The Hashemi name has centuries of family history associated with it, including numerous prominent leaders and government officials throughout the Middle East. It is an important part of many countries’ identities, reflecting the impact of Islamic culture and history on the region. It is likely to remain a commonly used and important name in these countries for many years to come.

Variations of the surname Hashemi

The surname Hashemi derives from an Arabic word meaning “eminent” or “noble”. Variations and alternate spellings may include:

• Hashemi • Hashemiyeh • Hashemy • Heshemi • Hishemi • Hishemy • Ishemi • Ishemy

Surnames of a similar origin include:

• Hashim • Hashimoto • Hashem • Hashemzadeh • Hashemzadeh • Hesham • Hosham • Hoshi • Hoshami • Hoshim • Hoshimi • Hoshem • Hoshemi • Hishem • Hisheme

The surname is shared by several high-profile figures. These include Queen Noor of Jordan, born Lisa Najeeb Halaby, and Hamid Hashemi, the Iranian-American CEO of Turquoise Mountain.

The Hashemi surname is found most commonly in the Middle East, especially in countries with predominant Muslim populations such as Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Syria. It is also common among certain other Middle Eastern ethnic diaspora communities around the world, such as those in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Canada.

In the United States, the most populous state with the highest concentration of the Hashemi surname is California.

Famous people with the name Hashemi

• Trita Parsi: Iranian-Swedish scholar, founder and president of the National Iranian American Council
• Farrah Hashemi: Iranian professional basketball player
• Faezeh Hashemi: Iranian activist and politician
• Ruhollah Hashemi: Iranian scriptwriter and television presenter
• Peyman Hashemi: Iranian film director and screenwriter
• Hadi Hashemi: Iranian actor
• Musa Hashemi: Iranian football player
• Karim Hashemi: Iranian molecular biologist
• Ali Hashemi: Iranian footballer
• Ammar Hashemi: Iranian footballer

Other surnames

HashemHashemis