What Are People From Mecca Called?

West Asia, Saudi Arabia

The demonym for people from Mecca is:

Meccan

Pronunciation:

/ˈmɛkə/

Ends in -an — see how this suffix works

Kaaba mirror edit jj
Image via Wikimedia CommonsGFDL 1.2

About Mecca

Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad. It is home to Masjid al-Haram, the Grand Mosque, which surrounds the Kaaba, the most sacred site in the Islamic faith. Each year the city hosts the Hajj pilgrimage, a religious duty required of all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it at least once in their lifetime. Millions of worshippers gather in Mecca during the pilgrimage season, creating one of the largest annual religious gatherings in the world. Non-Muslims are prohibited from entering the city, a rule that is strictly observed. Mecca has undergone massive modern development and expansion in recent decades, including new hotels, transport links, and infrastructure to serve pilgrims. Millions of Muslims visit each year for the Hajj and Umrah, making the city a center of global faith.

Quick Facts about Mecca
Population:
2,427,924 (2024 est.)
Country:
Saudi Arabia
Region:
West Asia

Recommended Geography Resources

Want to explore where Meccans live? Here's the atlas that does it best:

National Geographic Atlas of the World

Highly detailed, stunning visuals

▶See more options

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Etymology of the Mecca Demonym

From Arabic 'Makkah'. The demonym is 'Meccan'.

Test Your Knowledge

Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!

Take a Quiz →