What is the full name of hummus in Arabic, meaning chickpeas with tahini?

The full Arabic name for hummus meaning “chickpeas with tahini” is hummus bi tahini.

In Arabic, hummus means “chickpeas,” while bi tahini means “with tahini.” The phrase therefore identifies the familiar dish more precisely: cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with sesame-seed paste, usually with lemon juice and garlic.

English speakers often use “hummus” for the prepared dip, but the word by itself can simply refer to chickpeas. The longer name helps distinguish the dish from other chickpea preparations, including whole chickpeas, stews and spreads made without tahini.

Hummus has deep roots in Levantine and Egyptian cooking, although its exact birthplace and invention date remain disputed. The earliest written recipe resembling modern hummus appears in a 13th-century Syrian cookbook, while related recipes were recorded in Cairo in the 14th century. Common garnishes include olive oil, parsley, paprika and whole chickpeas.