---
title: "Why Is Madinah Called “Taibah”?"
url: "https:\/\/theislamicinformation.com\/blogs\/why-is-madinah-called-taibah\/"
type: "post"
updated: "2026-09-04"
description: "Madinah carries several names in Islamic history, and one of the most well-known is Taibah, meaning pure, good and wholesome in Arabic."
taxonomies: ["Blogs","Hijrah","Islamic History","Madinah","Masjid an-Nabawi","Prophet Muhammad","Saudi Arabia","Taibah","Yathrib"]
---

# Why Is Madinah Called “Taibah”?

Source: https://theislamicinformation.com/blogs/why-is-madinah-called-taibah/
Updated: 2026-09-04

- Madinah was known as Yathrib before Prophet Muhammad ﷺ migrated there in 622 CE
- The Prophet ﷺ gave the city the name Taibah, meaning pure and good
- An 8th century rock inscription found in Madinah refers to the city as "Taybah"

## From Yathrib to Taibah

Before Islam, the city was called Yathrib. The name is linked to the Arabic roots tharb and tathrib, which carry meanings of blame and corruption.

When [Prophet Muhammad](https://theislamicinformation.com/blogs/children-names-prophet-muhammad/) ﷺ migrated to the city, he gave it a new name. He called it Taibah, a word meaning pure, good and wholesome. A closely related name, Tabah, carries a similar meaning and was also used for the city.

## Historical Evidence

An 8th century rock inscription discovered in [Madinah](https://theislamicinformation.com/madinah-live/) refers to the city by the name Taybah, showing that the name has been used since the early centuries of Islam.

## Other Names of Madinah

Alongside Taibah, the city is known by several other names, each reflecting a part of its history:

| Name | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| Al-Madinah | The City |
| Madinat an-Nabi | City of the Prophet |
| Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah | The Enlightened City |
| Dar al-Hijrah | Land of Migration |

Masjid an-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque), built by the Prophet ﷺ in 622 CE, stands at the heart of the city and remains one of the most visited sites for Muslims travelling to Madinah today.