What does hajji mean?
Hajji is an honorific used for a Muslim who has completed the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The word may be used as a title of respect and as a description of someone’s religious status, as in “she became a hajji after completing the pilgrimage.” It is related to the English spelling hadji and to the widely used variant haji, which is especially common in West Africa. Although hajji can sometimes be translated broadly as “pilgrim,” it is not simply a general synonym for any religious traveler: the traditional meaning specifically identifies someone who has completed the Islamic pilgrimage. In family histories, biographies, and communities where the hajj is especially significant, the term also carries associations of devotion, discipline, and a significant spiritual journey.
nounAn honorific for a Muslim who has completed the pilgrimage to Mecca. It may also refer to someone who has made the hajj, especially in historical or biographical contexts.
- An honorific for a Muslim who has completed the pilgrimage to Mecca.
"She became a hajji after completing the pilgrimage to Mecca."
"After completing the hajj, he was given the title of hajji."
"The biography describes his father as a respected hajji who taught the traditions to his children."
The standard plural is hajjis, though the word is relatively uncommon in general English.
"Several hajjis from the village served as community leaders."
A title earned by a journey: hajji marks a Muslim's completed pilgrimage to Mecca.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hajji come from?
Hajji comes from Arabic ḥājjī, meaning “one who has performed the pilgrimage” and related to ḥajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. English borrowed the term with spelling variants including hadji, hadjee, and haji. The English forms preserve the Arabic honorific sense of recognizing a completed pilgrimage.
Related word forms
How hajji is actually used
This is a religious and honorific term rather than a general word for any traveler or pilgrim. It is most natural in Islamic, South Asian, Middle Eastern, and diasporic contexts, where it is generally treated with respect.
Easily confused with hajji
Hadji is an alternative English spelling of hajji and has the same meaning.
Haji is another spelling used for the honorific, particularly in West Africa and other regions influenced by Arabic.