3 syllables: Fa, ti, ma. Stress on Fa.
FATH-im-uh
/ˈfæθɪmə/
Fatima is pronounced FATH-im-uh (/ˈfæθɪmə/). It has three syllables (Fa-ti-ma), with the stress on "Fa". Fatima is a female given name of Arabic origin. In English, it denotes a proper noun used for a person, often with cultural or religious association. The pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable, yielding a balanced cadence suitable for formal and informal references alike.
nounFatima is a female given name of Arabic origin. In English, it denotes a proper noun used for a person, often with cultural or religious association. The pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable, yielding a balanced cadence suitable for formal and informal references alike.
"Fatima is delivering the keynote at the conference this afternoon."
"The book features a character named Fatima who embodies resilience."
"We spoke with Fatima after the workshop to thank her for sharing insights."
Pronounce Fatima as fa-TEE-ma, with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA for US/UK/AU is /fəˈtiː.mə/. Start with a soft /f/, follow with a schwa to /ə/, then a long /iː/ vowel for the second syllable, and finish with /mə/. Keep /t/ crisp but not explosive; your tongue taps the alveolar ridge lightly. Audio resources: you can compare with native speech on Pronounce or Forvo for authentic variants.
Two common errors are omitting the second syllable stress or reducing /tiː/ to a short /ti/ and blurring the /t/ into a flap. To correct: ensure the vowel in the second syllable is long /iː/ and clearly release the /t/ before the final /mə/. Practicing the sequence fa-TEE-ma helps create the correct rhythm and prevents pronouncing Fatima as FA-ti-ma or fah-TEE-ma with mis-timed stress.
In US/UK/AU, the primary stress remains on the second syllable, /fəˈtiː.mə/. US speakers may produce a slightly weaker final /ə/ and a rarer rhotic influence; UK and AU tend to maintain a crisper /t/ and clearer vowel duration. Vowel quality differences, such as UK /ˈtiː/ vs US /tiː/ align with general vowel length patterns. Nonetheless, the core phonemes stay the same across these varieties.
The difficulty centers on sustaining a long /iː/ in the second syllable and producing a clear, aspirated /t/ in a non-stressed position while avoiding vowel reduction on the first syllable. The sequence fa-TEE-ma requires controlled timing: the second syllable receives the energy, and the final /mə/ is light. Speakers often misplace stress or compress /tiː/ into a quick /ti/. Focus on keeping the second syllable long and distinct.
A key unique aspect is maintaining explicit syllable separation and avoiding vowel coalescence with neighboring words. The pattern fa-TEE-ma benefits from a brief jaw/ tongue alignment between /f/ and /t/; your mouth should start with a relaxed open jaw for /f/, transition to a tighter tongue position for /t/ before the long /iː/ vowel, then a relaxed /mə/. This keeps the rhythm precise in natural speech.
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- US: classify as rhotic-less or limited rhoticity; you’ll hear a slightly reduced /ɚ/ in the final syllable in some speakers, but Fatima keeps the final /ə/ stable. - UK: crisper /t/ release and a longer /iː/ with less vowel centralization; pay attention to enunciating the second syllable fully. - AU: tends to preserve a clear /t/ and a stable /iː/; vowels may lean toward a slightly higher tongue position. IPA references: US /fəˈtiː.mə/, UK /fəˈtiːˈmɑː/ (approx. depending on speaker). Common mistakes include vowel raising or diphthongization. - Focus on keeping the second syllable stressed with a long /iː/ and crisp /t/ regardless of accent.
Fatima is an Arabic female given name derived from the Arabic word fatm, meaning 'to abstain' or from Fatima bint Mohammed, a widely revered figure in Islamic tradition. The name is often associated with Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, which elevated its cultural resonance across the Muslim world. The earliest attestations come from classical Arabic texts and poetry, where Fatima appears as a meaningful female archetype—pious, steadfast, and gracious. The name spread with the expansion of Islamic civilization and via trade routes, becoming common in North Africa, the Levant, and the Indian subcontinent. In many Muslim communities, Fatima is revered and often paired with patronymics or titles that reflect honorifics. In English-speaking contexts, the name has retained its Arabic pronunciation and is occasionally anglicized in spelling or pronunciation, though most speakers preserve the original stress pattern and phonemic makeup. First known use in English-language records occurs in colonial and post-colonial periods, where transliterations reflect both Arabic phonology and English phonetic conventions. Across cultures, the name carries associations of virtue, family heritage, and spiritual identity, influencing its continued prominence in naming traditions and literature.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Fatima" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Fatima" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Fatima" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Fatima"
-ama sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
