KHALID
Khalid is an Arabic surname that is widely recognised across the Muslim world. The name derives from the Arabic word khalid, which means “eternal” or “immortal”. It is also employed as a given name, and its meaning emphasises an association with everlastingness and endurance.
In Muslim naming practice, the surname Khalid often carries a religious connotation. It venerates the Prophet Muhammad through one of his associates and, in some cases, employs the prefix Al to indicate a particular family heritage. This connection is linked to the legendary prophet‑saint Al‑Khadir (also recorded in Romanised forms such as Khidr, Khizir, Hizir, Hirzi, and Hirsi), who is described in Islamic tradition as “the original guide to wayfarers, and the genius of greenery and rivers”.
Geographically, the surname Khalid is common in Arabic countries and extends throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of South Asia. In the diaspora, it is frequently encountered among Muslim immigrants in large urban centres in Europe and the United States, notably in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Chicago. According to the 2015 U.S. Census, Khalid ranked 40,033 in surname popularity in the United States.
The spelling of the surname varies considerably. Common variants include Khalid, Khaleed, Khalide, Khalidi, Khalede, Khaleedeh, and Khales. In some linguistic contexts the suffix -i is added, producing Khalidi, which denotes origin from a place called Khalid. Other forms arise in non‑Arabic languages, such as Khelid in India and Khalideh in Persian usage. Certain unrelated surnames that sound similar, for example Khallid and Khalif, are also recorded.
In popular usage, the name Khalid is often linked with qualities of resilience, durability, courage, justice, loyalty, and a willingness to protect others. These associations are highlighted in contemporary accounts that respect the name as an inspiration for strengths that endure beyond changing fashions.
Overall, Khalid remains a prevalent Arabic surname both within the Muslim world and in societies outside it, manifesting in a broad array of spellings that reflect linguistic diversity and migration patterns.
Typical given names associated with the Khalid surname
Male
- Abdul
- Ali
- Bilal
- Hassan
- Imran
- Mahmood
- Mohammad
- Mohammed
- Muhammad
- Usman
Female
- Farah
- Mariam
- Maryam
- Nadia
- Robina
- Sadia
- Saima
- Salma
- Samina
- Sana
- Shabana
- Shazia
- Sumera
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Khalid in...
Braille
⠅⠓⠁⠇⠊⠙
Morse
-.-.....-.-....-..
Semaphore
There are approximately 4,936 people named Khalid in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,912th most common surname in Britain. Around 76 in a million people in Britain are named Khalid.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Religion of origin: Muslim
Famous people named Khalid
- Annie Khalid - Singer and model
- Shaftab Khalid - Cricketer
- Faisal Khalid -
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.