Arabic language names have historically been based on a long naming system. Many people from the Arabic-speaking and also Muslim countries have not had given/middle/family names but rather a chain of names. This system remains in use throughout the Arabic and Muslim worlds.
Name structure[edit]
Ism[edit]
The ism (اسم) is the given name, first name, or personal name; e.g. «Ahmad» or «Fatimah». Most Arabic names have meaning as ordinary adjectives and nouns, and are often aspirational of character. For example, Muhammad means ‘Praiseworthy’ and Ali means ‘Exalted’ or ‘High’.
The syntactic context will generally differentiate the name from the noun/adjective. However Arabic newspapers will occasionally place names in brackets, or quotation marks, to avoid confusion.
Indeed, such is the popularity of the name Muhammad throughout parts of Africa, Arabia, the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia, it is often represented by the abbreviation «Md.», «Mohd.», «Muhd.», or just «M.». In India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, due to its almost ubiquitous use as a first name, a person will often be referred to by their second name:
- Md. Dinar Ibn Raihan
- Mohd. Umair Tanvir
- Md. Osman
Nasab[edit]
The nasab (Arabic: نسب, lit. ‘lineage’) is a patronymic or matronymic, or a series thereof. It indicates the person’s heritage by the word ibn (ابن «son of», colloquially bin) or ibnat («daughter of», also بنت bint, abbreviated bte.).
Ibn Khaldun (ابن خلدون) means «son of Khaldun». Khaldun is the father’s personal name or, in this particular case, the name of a remote male ancestor.
ʿAmmār ibn Sumayya means «ʿAmmār son of Sumayya». Sumayya is the personal name of ʿAmmār’s mother, the same person can also be identified by his father’s personal name «ʿAmmār ibn Yasir». In later Islamic periods the nasab was an important tool in determining a child’s father by means of describing paternity in a social (ie to whom was the mother legally married during the conception of the child), not a biological sense, because the father’s biological identity can be grounds for speculation. In early Islamic contexts this function is not yet well established. This stems from a legal principle introduced by Islam regarding the legal status of children (they can only arise from marriage) and changes to waiting periods relating to divorce to establish an undisputed legal father for any child. This function only developing with Islam means that one can find many Companions of the Prophet bearing a maternal nasab, as the naming conventions reflected in their names still stem from pre-Islamic attitudes and beliefs.[1]
Several nasab names can follow in a chain to trace a person’s ancestry backwards in time, as was important in the tribal society of medieval Arabs, both for purposes of identification and for socio-political interactions. Today, however, ibn or bint is no longer used (unless it is the official naming style in a country, region, etc.: Adnen bin Abdallah). The plural is ‘Abnā for males and Banāt for females. However, Banu or Bani is tribal and encompasses both sexes.
Laqab[edit]
The laqab (لقب), pl. alqāb (ألقاب) can be translated to English as agnomen; cognomen; nickname; title, honorific; last name, surname, family name.[2] The laqab is typically descriptive of the person.
An example is the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid (of One Thousand and One Nights fame), which uses the definite article al-. Harun is the Arabic version of the name Aaron and al-Rasheed means «the Rightly-Guided».
Another common form of laqab are compounds ending with al-Dīn (lit. ‘of the faith’ or ‘of the religion’), al-Dawla (‘of the State’), al-Mulk (‘of the Kingdom’), or al-Islām (‘of Islam’).[3] Examples include Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn, Shams al-Dīn, Nūr al-Dīn, Nāṣir al-Dawla, Niẓām al-Mulk, Sayf al-Islām.
In ancient Arab societies, use of a laqab was common, but today is restricted to the surname, or family name, of birth.
Nisbah[edit]
The nisbah (نسبة) surname could be an everyday name, but is mostly the name of the ancestral tribe, city, country, or any other term used to show relevance. It follows a family through several generations. It most often appears as a demonym, for example البغدادي al-Baghdadi, meaning that the person is of Baghdad or descendant of people from Baghdad.
The laqab and nisbah are similar in use, and hence, a name rarely contains both.
Kunya[edit]
A kunya (Arabic: كنية, kunyah)[4] is a teknonym in Arabic names. It is a component of an Arabic name, a type of epithet, in theory referring to the bearer’s first-born son or daughter. By extension, it may also have hypothetical or metaphorical references, e.g. in a nom de guerre or a nickname, without literally referring to a son or a daughter.[5] For example, Sabri Khalil al-Banna was known as Abu Nidal, «father of struggle».
Use of a kunya implies a familiar but respectful setting.
A kunya is expressed by the use of abū (father) or umm (mother) in a genitive construction, i.e. «father of» or «mother of» as an honorific in place of or alongside given names in the Arab world.
A kunya may also be a nickname expressing the attachment of an individual to a certain thing, as in Abu Bakr, «father of the camel foal», given because of this person’s kindness towards camels.
Common naming practices[edit]
Arab Muslim[edit]
A common name-form among Arab Muslims is the prefix ʿAbd («Worshipper», fem. Amah) combined with the name of Allah (God), Abdullah (عبد الله «Worshipper of God»), or with one of the epithets of Allah.
As a mark of deference, ʿAbd is usually not conjoined with the prophets’ names.[6] Nonetheless, such names are accepted in some areas. Its use is not exclusive to Muslims and throughout all Arab countries, the name Abdel-Massih, «Servant of Christ», is a common Christian last name.
Converts to Islam may often continue using the native non-Arabic non-Islamic names that are without any polytheistic connotation, or association.
Arab Christian[edit]
To an extent Arab Christians have names indistinguishable from Muslims, except some explicitly Islamic names, e.g. Muhammad. Some common Christian names are:
- Arabic versions of Christian names (e.g. saints’ names: Buṭrus for Saint Peter).
- Names of Greek, Armenian, and Aramaic or Neo-Aramaic origin.
- Use of European names, especially French, Greek and, to a lesser extent, Spanish ones (in Morocco). This has been a relatively recent centuries-long convention for Christian Arabs, especially in the Levant. For example: Émile Eddé, George Habash, Charles Helou, Camille Chamoun.
- Names in honor of Jesus Christ:
- ʿAbd al-Yasuʿ (masc. ) / Amat al-Yasuʿ (fem.) («Servant of Jesus»)
- ʿAbd al-Masiḥ (masc.) / Amat al-Masiḥ (fem.) («Servant of the Messiah»)
- Derivations of Maseeḥ («Messiah»): Masūḥun («Most Anointed»), Amsāḥ («More Anointed»), Mamsūḥ «Anointed» and Musayḥ «Infant Christ». The root, M-S-Ḥ, means «to anoint» (as in masah) and is cognate to the Hebrew Mashiah.
Dynastic or family name[edit]
Some people, especially in the Arabian Peninsula, when descendant of a famous ancestor, start their last name with Āl «family, clan» (آل), like the House of Saud ﺁل سعود Āl Ṣaʻūd or Al ash-Sheikh («family of the sheikh»). Āl is distinct from the definite article (ال). If a reliably-sourced version of the Arabic spelling includes آل (as a separate graphic word), then this is not a case of the definite article, so Al (capitalised and followed by a space, not a hyphen) should be used. Ahl, which has a similar meaning, is sometimes used and should be used if the Arabic spelling is أهل.
Dynasty membership alone does not necessarily imply that the dynastic آل is used – e.g. Bashar al-Assad.
| Arabic | Meaning | Transliteration | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ال | ‘the’ | al- | Maytham al-Tammar |
| آل | ‘family’/’clan of’ | Al | Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud |
| أهل | ‘tribe’/’people of’ | Ahl | Ahl al-Bayt |
Example[edit]
محمد بن سلمان بن أمین الفارسی
Muḥammad ibn Salmān ibn Amīn al-Fārisī
- Ism – Muḥammad (proper name, lit. «praised»)
- Nasab – Salmān (father’s name, lit. «secure»)
- Nasab – Amīn (grandfather’s name, «trustworthy»)
- Nisbah – al-Fārisī («the Persian»).
«Muḥammad, son of Salmān, son of Amīn, the Persian»
This person would simply be referred to as «Muḥammad» or by his kunya, which relates him to his first-born son, e.g. Abū Karīm «father of Karīm». To signify respect or to specify which Muḥammad one is speaking about, the name could be lengthened to the extent necessary or desired.
Common mistakes[edit]
Non-Arabic speakers often make these mistakes:
- Separating «the X of Y» word combinations (see iḍāfah):
- With «Abdul»: Arabic names may be written «Abdul (something)», but «Abdul» means «servant of the» or «follower of the» and is not, by itself, a name. Thus for example, to address Abdul-Rahman bin Omar al-Ahmad by his given name, one says «Abdul-Rahman», not merely «Abdul». If he introduces himself as «Abdul-Rahman» (which means «the servant of the Merciful»), one does not say «Mr. Rahman» (as «Rahman» is not a family name but part of his [theophoric] personal name); instead it would be Mr. al-Ahmad, the latter being the family name.
- People not familiar with Arabic sandhi in iḍāfah: Habībullāh = «beloved (Habīb) of God (Allāh)»; here a person may in error report the man’s name as «forename Habib, surname Ullah«. Likewise, people may confuse a name such as Jalālu-d-dīn («The majesty of the religion») as being «Jalal Uddin», or «Mr. Uddin», when «Uddin» is not a surname, but the second half of a two-word name (the desinence -u of the construct state nominative, plus the article, appearing as -d-, plus the genitive dīn[i]). To add to the confusion, some immigrants to Western countries have adopted Uddin as a surname, although it is grammatically incorrect in Arabic outside the context of the associated «first name». Even Indian Muslims commit the same error. If a person’s name is Abd-ul-Rahim («servant of the Merciful»), others may call him Mr. Abdul («servant of the») which would sound quite odd to a native speaker of Arabic.
- Not distinguishing ʻalāʾ from Allah: Some Muslim names include the Arabic word ʻalāʾ (علاء «nobility»). Here, ⟨ʻ⟩ represents the ayin, a voiced pharyngeal fricative, ⟨ʾ⟩ represents the hamza, a glottal stop, and ⟨l⟩ is spelled and pronounced at ordinary length, /l/. In Allāh, the l is written twice (⟨ll⟩) and pronounced twice as long (a geminate), as /l/ or /ll/. In Arabic pronunciation, ʻalāʾ and Allāh are clearly different. But Europeans, Iranians, and Indians may not pronounce some Arabic sounds as a native Arabic speaker would, and thus tend to pronounce them identically. For example, the name ʻAlāʾ al-dīn (Aladdin, «the Nobility of the Faith») is sometimes misspelled as Allāh al-dīn.[citation needed] There is another name ʻAlaʾ-Allah (Aliullah, «the Nobility of God»), which uses both distinctly.
- Taking bin or ibn for a middle name: As stated above, these words indicate the order of the family chain. English-speakers often confuse them with middle names, especially when they’re written as «Ben», as it is the case in some countries. For example, Sami Ben Ahmed would be mistakenly addressed as Mr. Ben Ahmed. To correctly address the person, one should use Mr. Sami Ahmed or Mr. Ahmed.
- Grammar: As between all languages, there are differences between Arabic grammar and the grammar of other languages. Arabic forms noun compounds in the opposite order from Indo-Iranian languages, for example. During the war in Afghanistan in 2002, a BBC team found in Kabul an internally displaced person whose name they stated as «Allah Muhammad». This may be a misspelling for ʻalāʾ, for if not, by the rules of Arabic grammar, this name means «the Allah who belongs to Muhammad», which, assuming the person is an Arabic speaking Muslim would be unacceptable religiously. However, by the rules of Iranian languages and most languages of India, this name does mean «Muhammad who belongs to Allah», being the equivalent of the Arabic «Muhammadullah». Most Afghans speak Iranian languages. Such Perso-Arab or Indo-Arab multilingual compound names are not uncommon in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan and Tajikistan. There is, for example, the Punjabi name Allah-Ditta which joins the Arabic Allah with the Punjabi Ditta «given».
Arab family naming convention[edit]
In Arabic culture, as in many parts of the world, a person’s ancestry and family name are very important. An example is explained below.
Assume a man is called Saleh ibn Tariq ibn Khalid al-Fulan.
- Saleh is his personal name, and the one that his family and friends would call him by.
- ibn and bin translates as «son of», so Tariq is Saleh’s father’s name.
- ibn Khalid means that Tariq is the son of Khalid, making Khalid the grandfather of Saleh.
- al-Fulan would be Saleh’s family name.
Hence, Saleh ibn Tariq ibn Khalid al-Fulan translates as «Saleh, son of Tariq, son of Khalid; who is of the family of al-Fulan.»
The Arabic for «daughter of» is bint. A woman with the name Fatimah bint Tariq ibn Khalid al-Goswami translates as «Fatimah, daughter of Tariq, son of Khalid; who is of the family al-Goswami.»
In this case, ibn and bint are included in the official naming. Most Arab countries today, however, do not use ‘ibn’ and ‘bint’ in their naming system. If Saleh were an Egyptian, he would be called Saleh Tariq Khalid al-Fulan and Fatimah would be Fatimah Tariq Khalid al-Goswami.
If Saleh marries a wife (who would keep her own maiden, family, and surnames), their children will take Saleh’s family name. Therefore, their son Mohammed would be called Mohammed ibn Saleh ibn Tariq al-Fulan.
However, not all Arab countries use the name in its full length, but conventionally use two- and three-word names, and sometimes four-word names in official or legal matters. Thus the first name is the personal name, the middle name is the father’s name and the last name is the family name.
Biblical names and their Arabic equivalent[edit]
The Arabic names listed below are used in the Arab world with correspondent Hebrew, English, Syriac and Greek equivalents in many cases. Most are derived from Syriac transliterations of the Hebrew Bible.
| Arabic name | Hebrew name | English name | Syriac name | Greek name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ʿĀbir /ʾĪbir عابر / إيبر | Éver ʻĒḇer עֵבֶר |
Eber | ܥܵܒ݂ܵܪ ʿĀḇār | |
| Alyasaʿ اليسع | Elisha Elišaʿ אֱלִישָׁע |
Elisha | ܐܹܠܝܼܫܲܥ Ēlīšaʿ | Ἐλισσαῖος |
| ʿĀmūs عاموس | Amos ʿĀmōs עָמוֹס |
Amos | ܥܵܡܘܿܣ ʿĀmōs | Ἀμώς |
| Andrāwus أندراوس | Andrew | ܐܲܢܕܪܹܐܘܿܣ Andrēōs | Ἀνδρέας | |
| ʾĀsif آصف | Asaph ʾĀsaf אָסָף |
Asaph | ܐܵܣܵܦ ʾĀsāp | |
| ʾAyyūb أيّوب | Iyov / Iov Iyyov / Iyyôḇ איוב |
Job | ܐܝܼܘܿܒ݂ Īyōḇ | Ἰώβ |
| ʾĀzar Āzar / Taraḥ آزر / تارح |
Téraḥ / Tharakh תֶּרַח / תָּרַח | Terah | ܬܲܪܚ Tar(ə)ḥ | Θάρα |
| Azarīyā أزريا | Azaryah עֲזַרְיָהוּ | Azariah | ܥܲܙܲܪܝܵܐ Azar(ə)yā | |
| Barthulmāwus بَرثُولَماوُس | bar-Tôlmay בר-תולמי | Bartholomew | ܒܲܪ ܬܘܼܠܡܲܝ Bar-Tūlmay | Βαρθολομαῖος |
| Baraka Bārak بارك |
Barukh Bārûḵ בָּרוּךְ |
Baruch | ܒܵܪܘܿܟ݂ Bārōḵ | Βαρούχ |
| Binyāmīn بنيامين | Binyamin Binyāmîn בִּנְיָמִין |
Benjamin | ܒܸܢܝܵܡܹܝܢ Benyāmēn | Βενιαμίν |
| Būlus بولس | Paul | ܦܲܘܠܘܿܣ Pawlōs | Παῦλος | |
| Butrus بطرس | Peter | ܦܸܛܪܘܿܣ Peṭrōs | Πέτρος | |
| Dabūrāh دبوراه | Dvora Dəḇôrā דְּבוֹרָה |
Deborah | ܕܒ݂ܘܿܪܵܐ D(ə)ḇōrā | |
| Dānyāl دانيال | Daniel Dāniyyêl דָּנִיֵּאל |
Daniel | ܕܵܢܝܼܐܹܝܠ Dānīyyēl | Δανιήλ |
| Dāwud / Dāwūd / Dāʾūd داود / داوُود / داؤود | David Davīd דָּוִד |
David | ܕܵܘܝܼܕ݂ Dāwīḏ | Δαυΐδ, Δαβίδ |
| Fīlīb/Fīlībus فيليب / فيليبوس | Philip | ܦܝܼܠܝܼܦܘܿܣ Pīlīpōs | Φίλιππος | |
| Fāris فارص | Péreẓ Pāreẓ פֶּרֶץ / פָּרֶץ |
Perez | ܦܲܪܨ Parṣ | |
| ʾIfrāym إفرايم | Efraim Efráyim אֶפְרַיִם/אֶפְרָיִם |
Ephraim | ܐܲܦܪܹܝܡ Ap̄rēm | Ἐφραίμ |
| Ḥūbāb حُوبَابَ | Chobab Ḥovav חֹבָב |
Hobab | ||
| Ḥabaqūq حبقوق | Ḥavaqquq חֲבַקּוּק | Habakkuk | Ἀββακούμ | |
| Ḥajjai حجاي | Ḥaggay חַגַּי | Haggai | Ἁγγαῖος | |
| Ānnāh آنّاه | Ḥannāh חַנָּה | Anna (Bible) | Ἄννα | |
| Hārūn هارون | Aharon אהרן | Aaron | Ἀαρών | |
| Ḥawwāʾ حواء | Chava / Hava Ḥavvah חַוָּה |
Eve | ܚܘܐ | Εὔα |
| Hūshaʾ هوشع | Hoshea Hôšēăʻ הושע |
Hosea | Ὡσηέ | |
| Ḥassan حسن | Choshen ẖošen חֹשֶׁן |
Hassan | ||
| Ḥazqiyāl حزقيال | Y’khez’qel Y’ḥez’qel יְחֶזְקֵאל |
Ezekiel | Ἰεζεκιήλ | |
| ʾIbrāhīm إبراهيم | Avraham אַבְרָהָם | Abraham | Ἀβραάμ | |
| Idrees / Akhnookh Idrīs / Akhnūkh أخنوخ / إدريس |
H̱anokh חֲנוֹךְ | Enoch / Idris | Ἑνώχ | |
| ʾIlyās إلياس Īliyā إيليا |
Eliahu / Eliyahu Eliyahu אֱלִיָּהוּ |
Elijah | ‘Eliya | Ἠλίας |
| ʾImrān عمرام / عمران | Amrām עַמְרָם | Amram | Ἀμράμ | |
| ʾIrmiyā إرميا | Yirməyāhū יִרְמְיָהוּ | Jeremiah | Ἱερεμίας | |
| ʿĪsā / Yasūʿ عيسى / يسوع | Yeshua Yešuaʿ יֵשׁוּעַ / יֵשׁוּ |
Jesus | Eeshoʿ | Ἰησοῦς |
| ʾIsḥāq إسحاق | Yitzhak / Yitzchak Yitsḥaq יִצְחָק |
Isaac | Ἰσαάκ | |
| ʾIshʻiyāʾ إشعيا | Yeshayahu Yəšạʻyā́hû יְשַׁעְיָהוּ |
Isaiah | Ἠσαΐας | |
| Ismail ʾIsmāʿīl إسماعيل |
Yishmael Yišmaʿel / Yišmāʿêl יִשְׁמָעֵאל |
Ishmael | Ἰσμαήλ | |
| ʾIsrāʾīl إِسرائيل | Israel / Yisrael Yisraʾel / Yiśrāʾēl ישראל |
Israel | Ἰσραήλ | |
| Ǧibrīl / Ǧibra’īl جِبْريل / جَبْرائيل | Gavriel Gavriʾel גַבְרִיאֵל |
Gabriel | Γαβριήλ | |
| Ǧād / Jād جاد | Gad גָּד | Gad | Γάδ | |
| Ǧālūt / Jālūt / Julyāt جالوت / جليات | Golyāṯ גָּלְיָת | Goliath | Γολιάθ | |
| Ǧašam / Ǧūšām جشم / جوشام | Geshem גֶשֶׁם | Geshem (Bible) | Gashmu | |
| Ǧūrğ / Ǧirğis / Ǧurğ / Ǧurayğ جيرجس | George (given name) | Γεώργιος | ||
| Kilāb / Kalb كلاب/ كلب | Kalev כָּלֵב | Caleb | ||
| Lāwī لاوي | Lēvî לֵּוִי | Levi | Λευΐ | |
| Layā’ليا | Leah לֵאָה | Leah | Λεία | |
| Madyān مدين | Midian מִדְיָן | Midian | Μαδιάμ | |
| Majdalā مجدلية | Migdal | Magdalene | Magdala | Μαγδαληνή |
| Māliki-Ṣādiq ملكي صادق | malki-ṣédeq מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶֿק | Melchizedek | Μελχισεδέκ | |
| Malākhī ملاخي | Mal’akhi מַלְאָכִי | Malachi | Μαλαχίας | |
| Maryam / Miriam Maryam مريم |
Miriam / Miryam Miryam מרים |
Mary | ܡܪܝܡ | Μαρία |
| Mattūshalakh مَتُّوشَلَخَ | Mətušélaḥ Mətušálaḥ מְתֿוּשָלַח |
Methuselah | Μαθουσάλα | |
| Mattā | Amittai אֲמִתַּי | Amittai | ||
| Mattā / Matatiyā متى / متتيا | Matitiahu / Matityahu Matityahu מַתִּתְיָהוּ |
Matthew | Mattai | Ματθαῖος |
| Mikhāʼīl ميخائيل | Michael / Mikhael Miḵaʾel מִיכָאֵל |
Michael | Μιχαήλ | |
| Mūsā موسى | Moshe Mošé מֹשֶׁה |
Moses | Μωϋσῆς | |
| Nahamiyyā نحميا | Neḥemyah נְחֶמְיָה | Nehemiah | Νεεμίας | |
| Nūḥ نُوح | Noach / Noah Nóaḥ נוֹחַ |
Noah | Νῶε | |
| Qarūn / Qūraḥ قارون / قورح | Kórakh Qōraḥ קֹרַח |
Korah | ||
| Rāḥīl راحيل | Rakhél Raḥel רָחֵל |
Rachel | Ραχήλ | |
| Ṣafnīyā صفنيا | Tzfanya / Ṣəp̄anyā Tsfanya צְפַנְיָה |
Zephaniah | Σωφονίας | |
| Ṣaffūrah صفورة | Tzipora / Tsippora Ṣippôrā צִפוֹרָה |
Zipporah | Σεπφώρα | |
| Sām سام | Shem שֵם | Shem | Σήμ | |
| Sāmirī سامري | Zimri זִמְרִי | Zimri | Zamri | |
| Samuel Ṣamu’īl / Ṣamawāl صموئيل / صموال |
Shmu’el / Šəmûʼēl Shmu’el שְׁמוּאֶל |
Samuel | Σαμουήλ | |
| Sārah سارة | Sara / Sarah Sarā שָׂרָה |
Sarah / Sara | Σάρα | |
| Shamshūn شمشون | Shimshon / Šimšôn Shimshon שִׁמְשׁוֹן |
Samson | Σαμψών | |
| Suleiman Sulaymān / سليمان |
Shlomo Šlomo שְׁלֹמֹה |
Solomon | Σολομών | |
| Saul Ṭālūt / Šāwul طالوت / شاول |
Sha’ul Šāʼûl שָׁאוּל |
Saul | Σαούλ | |
| Ṭūmās/Tūmā طوماس / توما | Thomas (name) | Te’oma | Θωμᾶς | |
| Obaidullah ʻUbaydallāh / ʻUbaydiyyā عبيد الله / عبيدييا |
Ovadia ʻOvádyah / ʻOvádyah עבדיה |
Obadiah | Ὁβαδίας, Ἀβδιού | |
| ʻAmri عمري | Omri ʻOmri עמרי |
Omri | ||
| ʻUzāir عُزَيْرٌ | Ezra Ezrá עזרא |
Ezra | ||
| Yaʿqūb يَعْقُوب | Yaakov Yaʿaqov יַעֲקֹב |
Jacob, (James) | Ἰακώβ | |
| Yaḥyā / Yūḥannā** يحيى / يوحنا | Yochanan / Yohanan Yôḥānnān יוחנן |
John | Ἰωάννης | |
| Yahwah يهوه | YHWH Yahweh יְהֹוָה |
Jehovah | ܝܗܘܗ, ܝܗ, ܞ YH, YHWH | |
| Yessa Yashshā يَسَّى |
Yishay יִשַׁי | Jesse | Ἰεσσαί | |
| Yathrun (?) Yathrun / Shu’ayb / شعيب |
Yitro Yiṯrô יִתְרוֹ |
Jethro | ||
| You’il Yūʾīl يوئيل |
Yoel יואל) | Joel | Ἰωήλ | |
| Younos / Younes / Yūnus يونس |
Yona / Yonah Yônā יוֹנָה |
Jonah | Yuna | Ἰωνάς |
| Youssof / Youssef Yūsuf / يوسف |
Yosef יוֹסֵף | Joseph | ܝܲܘܣܸܦ Yawsep̄ | Ἰωσήφ |
| Youshaʿ Yūshaʿ / Yashūʿ يُوشَعُ / يَشُوعُ |
Yĕhôshúa Yôshúa יְהוֹשֻׁעַ |
Joshua | Ἰησοῦς | |
| Zakaria Zakariyyā / Zakarīyā زَكَرِيَّا |
Zecharia /Zekharia Zeḵaryah זְכַרְיָה |
Zachary or Zechariah | Ζαχαρίας |
- The popular romanization of the Arabized and Hebrew names are written first, then the standardized romanization are written in oblique. Arabized names may have variants.
- If a literal Arabic translation of a name exists, it will be placed after the final standardized romanization.
- If an Arabic correlation is ambiguous, (?) will be placed following the name in question.
- * Yassou’ is the Arab Christian name, while ʿĪsā is the Muslim version of the name, as used in the Qur’an. There is debate as to which is the better rendition of the Aramaic Yeshua, because both names are of late origin.
- ** Youhanna is the Arab Christian name of John, while Yahya is the Muslim version of the name, as used in the Qur’an. They have completely different triconsonantal roots: H-N-N («grace») vs H-Y-Y («Life»). Specifically, Youhanna may be the Biblical John the Baptist or the apostle. Yahya refers specifically to John the Baptist.
- El, the Hebrew word for strength/might or deity, is usually represented as īl in Arabic, although it carries no meaning in classical and modern Arabic. The only exception is its usage in the Iraqi Arabic.
Indexing[edit]
According to the Chicago Manual of Style, Arabic names are indexed by their surnames. Names may be alphabetized under Abu, Abd and ibn, while names are not alphabetized under al- and el- and are instead alphabetized under the following element.[7]
See also[edit]
- List of Arabic star names
- List of Arabic place names
References[edit]
- ^ Mohammadi, Adeel (2016). «The Ambiguity of Maternal Filiation (nasab) in Early and Medieval Islam». The Graduate Journal of Harvard Divinity School (11): 52–68.
- ^ dnsi.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Hans-Wehr-English-Arabic-Dctionary-Searchable-Format-.pdf
- ^ Bearman, P.; Bianquis, Th.; Bosworth, C.E.; van Donzel, E.; Heinrichs, W.P., eds. (1960–2007). «Ism». Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition. doi:10.1163/1573-3912_islam_SIM_3641.
- ^ Shahpurshah Hormasji Hodivala, Historical Studies in Mug̲h̲al Numismatics, Numismatic Society of India, 1976 (Reprint of the 1923 ed.)
- ^ Pedzisai Mashiri, «Terms of Address in Shona: A Sociolinguistic Approach», Zambezia, XXVI (i), pp. 93–110, 1999
- ^ Metcalf, Barbara D. (8 September 2009). Islam in South Asia in Practice. Princeton University Press. p. 344. ISBN 978-1-4008-3138-8.
One must avoid names whose ambiguity suggests something unlawful. It is for this reason that the scholars forbid having names like ‘Abd al-Nabi (Slave of the Prophet).
- ^ «Indexes: A Chapter from The Chicago Manual of Style» (Archive). Chicago Manual of Style. Retrieved on December 23, 2014. p. 25 (PDF document p. 27/56).
External links[edit]
- Arabic Nomenclature: A summary guide for beginners. A.F.L. Beeston (Oxford, 1971).
- Period Arabic Names and Naming Practices (2003) by Da’ud ibn Auda (David B. Appleton)
- Automated recognition of Arabic person names
Arabic names are used in the Arab world, as well as some other regions within the larger Muslim world. They are not necessarily of Arabic origin, though most in fact are. Compare also Persian names and Turkish names. See also about Arabic names.
Aali عالي m Arabic
Means «high, lofty, sublime» in Arabic.
Aaliyah عالية f Arabic, English (Modern), African American (Modern)
Feminine form of Aali. It was popularized in the English-speaking world by the singer Aaliyah Haughton (1979-2001), who was known simply as Aaliyah. This name received a boost in popularity after she released her debut album in 1994, and also in 2001 after her untimely death in an airplane crash.
‘Aamir عامر m Arabic
Means «prosperous, substantial» in Arabic.
Aamir 1 عامر m Arabic, Urdu
Alternate transcription of Arabic عامر (see ‘Aamir), as well as the usual Urdu transcription.
Abbas عبّاس m Arabic, Persian, Urdu
Means «austere» in Arabic. This was the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s uncle. It was also borne by a son of Ali, the fourth caliph.
Abd al-Aziz عبد العزيز m Arabic
Means «servant of the powerful» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with عزيز (‘aziz) meaning «powerful». This was the name of the first king of modern Saudi Arabia.
Abd al-Hamid عبد الحميد m Arabic
Means «servant of the praiseworthy» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with حَمِيد (hamid) meaning «praiseworthy». This was the name of two sultans of the Ottoman Empire.
Abd al-Karim عبد الكريم m Arabic
Means «servant of the generous» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with كَرِيم (karim) meaning «generous».
Abd Allah عبد الله m Arabic
Means «servant of Allah» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with الله (Allah). This was the name of the Prophet Muhammad’s father. He died before his son’s birth.
Abd al-Latif عبد اللطيف m Arabic
Means «servant of the gentle» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with لطيف (latif) meaning «gentle».
Abd al-Majid عبد المجيد m Arabic
Means «servant of the glorious» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with مجيد (majid) meaning «glorious».
Abd al-Malik عبد الملك m Arabic
Means «servant of the king» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with ملك (malik) meaning «king». This was the name of the fifth Umayyad caliph, who made Arabic the official language of the empire.
Abd al-Qadir عبد القادر m Arabic
Means «servant of the capable, powerful» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with قادر (qadir) meaning «capable, powerful». This was the name of a 19th-century Algerian resistance leader.
Abd al-Wali عبد الولِي m Arabic
Means «servant of the guardian» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with ولِي (wali) meaning «guardian, friend».
Abd ar-Rahim عبد الرحيم m Arabic
Means «servant of the merciful» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with رحيم (rahim) meaning «merciful».
Abd ar-Rahman عبد الرحمٰن m Arabic
Means «servant of the merciful» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with رحمن (rahman) meaning «merciful». This was the name of two early caliphs of the Umayyad dynasty in Spain.
Abd ar-Rashid عبد الرشيد m Arabic
Means «servant of the rightly guided» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with رَشِيد (rashid) meaning «rightly guided».
Abd as-Salam عبد السلام m Arabic
Means «servant of the peaceful» from Arabic عبد (‘abd) meaning «servant» combined with سلام (salam) meaning «peace».
Abduh عبده m Arabic
Means «his servant» in Arabic.
‘Abla عبلة f Arabic
Means «full-figured» in Arabic. The 7th-century Arabic poet Antara dedicated much of his poetry to a woman named Abla.
Abrar أبرار f & m Arabic, Urdu, Bengali
Means «virtuous» in Arabic. It is typically feminine in the Arab world, and typically masculine in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
Abu أبو m Arabic
Means «father of» in Arabic. This is commonly used as an element in a kunya, which is a type of Arabic nickname. The element is combined with the name of one of the bearer’s children (usually the eldest son). In some cases the kunya is figurative, not referring to an actual child, as in the case of the Muslim caliph Abu Bakr.
Abu Bakr أبو بكر m Arabic
Combination of Abu and Bakr. Abu Bakr was a companion and father-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the first caliph of the Muslim world. His name was in fact a kunya (a nickname) formed using Abu; his real name was Abd Allah. Shia Muslims hold a more negative view of Abu Bakr, hence this name is more widely used among Sunnis.
Adam آدم m English, French, German, Polish, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian, Croatian, Serbian, Macedonian, Romanian, Catalan, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Georgian, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew
This is the Hebrew word for «man». It could be ultimately derived from Hebrew אדם (‘adam) meaning «to be red», referring to the ruddy colour of human skin, or from Akkadian adamu meaning «to make».… [more]
Adel عادل m Persian, Arabic
Persian form of Adil, as well as an alternate transcription of the Arabic name.
Adil عادل m Arabic, Turkish, Urdu, Uyghur
Means «fair, honest, just» in Arabic, from the root عَدَلَ (‘adala) meaning «to act justly». This name was borne by several sultans of Bijapur.
Adnan عدنان m Arabic, Turkish, Bosnian, Urdu
Means «settler» in Arabic. According to tradition, Adnan was an ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad and the northern Arabian tribes.
Afaf عفاف f Arabic
Means «chastity» in Arabic.
Affan عفّان m Arabic
From Arabic عفّ (‘aff) meaning «chaste, modest, pure». This was the name of the father of the caliph Uthman.
Afif عفيف m Arabic
Means «chaste» in Arabic.
Afra 2 عفرا f Arabic
Means «whitish red» in Arabic.
Afzal أفضل m Arabic
Means «better, superior» in Arabic.
Aïcha عائشة f Arabic (Maghrebi)
Form of Aisha used in Northern Africa and other French-influenced regions of the continent.
Aida عائدة f Arabic, Bosnian, Albanian, Literature
Variant of Ayda. This name was used in Verdi’s opera Aida (1871), where it belongs to an Ethiopian princess held captive in Egypt.
Aisha عائشة f Arabic, Urdu, Western African, Eastern African, Hausa, Swahili, Kazakh, African American
Means «living, alive» in Arabic. This was the name of Muhammad’s third wife, the daughter of Abu Bakr. Some time after Muhammad’s death she went to war against Ali, the fourth caliph, but was defeated. Her name is used more by Sunni Muslims and less by Shias.… [more]
Aishah عائشة f Arabic, Malay
Alternate transcription of Arabic عائشة (see Aisha), as well as the usual Malay form.
Akram أكرم m Arabic
Means «most generous» in Arabic (a superlative form of Karim).
Ala 1 علاء m Arabic
Means «excellence, elevation» in Arabic.
Ala ad-Din علاء الدين m Arabic
Means «excellence of religion» from Arabic عَلَاء (‘ala) meaning «excellence, elevation» combined with دين (din) meaning «religion, faith». This was the name of several sultans of Delhi.
Al-Amir الآمر m Arabic (Rare)
Means «the commander, the prince» in Arabic. This was the name of a 10th-century Fatimid imam.
Al-Hasan الحسن m Arabic
Form of Hasan prefixed with the Arabic definite article.
Ali 1 عليّ m Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Pashto, Indonesian, Malay, Avar, Kazakh, Uzbek, Tajik, Dhivehi, Albanian, Bosnian
Means «lofty, sublime» in Arabic. Ali ibn Abi Talib was a cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the fourth caliph to rule the Muslim world. His followers were the original Shia Muslims, who regard him as the first rightful caliph.… [more]
Almas ألماس f & m Arabic
Means «diamond» in Arabic, ultimately from Persian.
Amaal أمال f Arabic
Means «hopes, aspirations» in Arabic.
Amal 1 أمل f & m Arabic
Means «hope, aspiration» in Arabic. It is related to Amaal.
Amani أماني f & m Arabic
Means «wishes» in Arabic.
Amin أمين m Arabic, Persian, Urdu
Derived from Arabic أمين (amin) meaning «truthful». This was the name of the sixth Abbasid caliph.
Amjad أمجد m Arabic
Means «more glorious» in Arabic.
Amna أمنة f Arabic
Means «safety» in Arabic.
Anas أنس m Arabic
Means «friendliness» in Arabic. This was the name of one of the Prophet Muhammad’s companions.
Anis أنيس m Arabic
Means «friendly, friend» in Arabic.
Ansar انصار m Arabic, Urdu
Means «helpers» in Arabic, referring to those who helped the Prophet Muhammad when he came to Medina.
Anwar أنور m Arabic, Urdu, Indonesian
Means «brighter, more luminous» in Arabic. This name was borne by Egyptian president Anwar Sadat (1918-1981), who was assassinated three years after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Aqil عقيل, عاقل m Arabic
Means «intelligent, wise» in Arabic. This transcription represents two different Arabic spellings.
Arij أريج f Arabic
Means «fragrance» in Arabic.
Arwa أروى f Arabic
Possibly means «mountain goats» in Arabic. This name was borne by some relatives of the Prophet Muhammad. It was also the name of a 12th-century queen of Yemen.
As’ad أسعد m Arabic
Means «happier, luckier» in Arabic.
Ashfaq أشفاق m Arabic
Means «compassions, kindness» in Arabic.
Asif أصف m Arabic
Possibly means «forgiveness» in Arabic.
Asiya آسيا, آسية f Arabic
Possibly from Arabic أسي (asy) meaning «distressed, grieved». According to Islamic tradition this was the name of the wife of the pharaoh at the time of Moses. She took care of the infant Moses and later accepted monotheism.
Asma أسمى f Arabic
Means «supreme» in Arabic.
Asmaa أسماء f Arabic
Means «appellations, names» in Arabic. This was the name of a daughter of Abu Bakr, the first caliph of the Muslims.
Asra أسرى f Arabic
Means «travel at night» in Arabic. It is related to Isra.
Ataullah عطا الله m Arabic
Means «gift of Allah» from Arabic عطاء (‘ata) meaning «gift» combined with الله (Allah).
Atif عاطف m Arabic
Means «affection, kindness» in Arabic.
Atiya عطيّة m & f Arabic
Means «gift» in Arabic.
Atuf عطوف m Arabic
Means «loving» in Arabic.
Ayah آية f Arabic
Means «sign, evidence» or «verse» in Arabic, as in one of the passages that make up the Quran.
Ayda عائدة f Arabic, Persian, Turkish
Means «returning, visitor» in Arabic. In Turkey this is also associated with ay meaning «moon».
Ayman أيمن m Arabic
Means «right-handed, blessed, lucky» in Arabic.
Ayoub أيّوب m Persian, Arabic
Persian form of Ayyub, as well as an alternate Arabic transcription.
Azhar أزهر m Arabic, Urdu, Malay
Means «shining, brilliant, bright» in Arabic, derived from the root زهر (zahara) meaning «to shine».
Aziz عزيز m Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Tajik
Means «powerful, respected, beloved», derived from Arabic عزّ (‘azza) meaning «to be powerful» or «to be cherished». In Islamic tradition العزيز (al-‘Aziz) is one of the 99 names of Allah. A notable bearer of the name was Al-‘Aziz, a 10th-century Fatimid caliph.
Badr بدر m & f Arabic
Means «full moon» in Arabic.
Baki باقي m Turkish, Arabic
Turkish form of Baqi, as well as an alternate Arabic transcription.
Bakr بكر m Arabic
Means «young camel» in Arabic. Abu Bakr was a father-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the first caliph of the Muslim world.
Baqi باقي m Arabic
Means «eternal» in Arabic. This was the pen name of a 16th-century Turkish poet.
Baqir باقر m Arabic
Means «to rip open» in Arabic. Muhammad al-Baqir was the fifth imam of the Shia Muslims.
Barack باراك m Arabic
Alternate transcription of Arabic باراك (see Barak 2). A famous bearer is former American president Barack Obama (1961-), who was named after his Kenyan father.
Bashar بشار m Arabic
Means «bringing good news» in Arabic.
Basil 2 باسل m Arabic
Means «brave, valiant» in Arabic.
Basim باسم m Arabic
Means «smiling» in Arabic, from the root بَسَمَ (basama) meaning «to smile».
Basir بصير m Arabic
Means «wise» in Arabic. In Islamic tradition البصير (al-Basir) is one of the 99 names of Allah.
Basit باسط m Arabic
Means «one who enlarges» in Arabic.
Bassam بسّام m Arabic
Means «smiling» in Arabic, from the root بَسَمَ (basama) meaning «to smile».
Batul بتول f Arabic
Means «virgin» in Arabic. This is an Arabic epithet of the Virgin Mary.
Bilal بلال m Arabic, Turkish, Urdu
Means «wetting, moistening» in Arabic. This was the name of a companion of the Prophet Muhammad.
Burhan ad-Din برهان الدين m Arabic
Means «proof of religion», derived from Arabic برهان (burhan) meaning «proof» and دين (din) meaning «religion, faith».
Dalal دلال f Arabic
Means «coquettishness» in Arabic.
Dina 3 دينا f Arabic
Possibly from Arabic دين (din) meaning «religion».
Dua دعاء f Arabic
Means «prayer» in Arabic.
Duha ضحى f & m Arabic
Means «morning» in Arabic.
Eman إيمان f Arabic (Egyptian)
Alternate transcription of Arabic إيمان (see Iman). This corresponds more closely with the Egyptian Arabic pronunciation of the name.
Esmail إسماعيل m Persian, Arabic
Persian form of Ishmael. It is also an alternate transcription of Arabic إسماعيل (see Isma’il). This was the name of the founder of the Safavid Empire in Iran in the early 16th century.
Fadi فادي m Arabic
Means «saviour» in Arabic. This is an Arabic name of Jesus.
Fadl فضل m Arabic
Means «grace, generosity» in Arabic. This was a name of both a cousin of Muhammad and a son of Abbas (the son of the fourth caliph Ali).
Fahd فهد m Arabic
Means «panther» in Arabic.
Fahim فهم m Arabic
Means «intelligent, scholar» in Arabic.
Faiz فائز m Arabic
Means «victorious» in Arabic.
Fajr فجر f Arabic
Means «dawn, beginning» in Arabic.
Fakhri فخريّ m Arabic
Means «honourary» in Arabic.
Farag فرج m Arabic
Alternate transcription of Arabic فرج (see Faraj). This corresponds more closely with the Egyptian Arabic pronunciation of the name.
Faraj فرج m Arabic
Means «comfort, relief» in Arabic.
Farid فريد m Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Bengali
Means «unique, precious», derived from Arabic فرد (farada) meaning «to be unique». This was the name of a 13th-century Persian poet.
Faruk فاروق m Turkish, Bosnian, Arabic
Turkish and Bosnian form of Faruq, as well as an alternate transcription of the Arabic name.
Faruq فاروق m Arabic
Means «person who can tell right from wrong» in Arabic. This was the name of the last king of Egypt (1920-1965).
Fatema فاطمة f Arabic, Bengali
Alternate transcription of Arabic فاطمة (see Fatimah), as well as a common Bengali transcription.
Fathi فتحيّ m Arabic
Means «conqueror» in Arabic.
Fatiha فاتحة f Arabic (Maghrebi)
Means «opener» in Arabic, from Arabic فتح (fataha) meaning «to open, to conquer». This is the name of the first chapter (surah al-Fatiha) of the Quran.
Fatima فاطمة f Arabic, Urdu
Alternate transcription of Arabic فاطمة (see Fatimah), as well as the usual Urdu transcription.
Fatimah فاطمة f Arabic, Malay, Indonesian
Means «to abstain» in Arabic. Fatimah was a daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and the wife of Ali, the fourth caliph. She is regarded as the exemplary Muslim woman, especially among Shias.
Fatin 1 فاتن f Arabic
Means «charming, seductive, fascinating» in Arabic.
Fawzi فوزيّ m Arabic
Means «triumph» in Arabic.
Fayruz فيروز f Arabic
Means «turquoise (the gemstone)» in Arabic, ultimately of Persian origin.
Faysal فيصل m Arabic
Means «a judge, arbiter» in Arabic.
Fihr فهر m Arabic
Means «stone pestle» in Arabic. This was the name of an ancestor of Muhammad.
Fikri فكريّ m Arabic, Turkish
Means «intellectual» in Arabic, a derivative of فكر (fakara) meaning «to think, to reflect».
Firdaus فردوس m & f Arabic, Indonesian, Malay, Urdu
Derived from the Arabic word فردوس (firdaws) meaning «paradise», ultimately from an Iranian language, akin to Avestan 𐬞𐬀𐬌𐬭𐬌⸱𐬛𐬀𐬉𐬰𐬀 (pairi daēza) meaning «garden, enclosure».
Fuad فؤاد m Arabic
Derived from Arabic فؤاد (fu’ad) meaning «heart».
Furqan فرقان m Arabic, Urdu
Means «criterion between right and wrong» or «proof» in Arabic. This is the name of the 25th chapter (surah al-Furqan) of the Quran.
Gamal جمال m Arabic (Egyptian)
Egyptian transcription of Jamal. This name was borne by Egyptian president Gamal Nasser (1918-1970).
Ghada غادة f Arabic
Means «graceful woman» in Arabic.
Ghaliya غالية f Arabic
Means «precious, valuable» in Arabic.
Ghassan غسّان m Arabic
Means «youth» in Arabic. This was the name of an Arabian tribe that existed until the 6th century.
Ghufran غفران f & m Arabic
Means «forgiveness» in Arabic.
Ghulam غلام m Arabic, Urdu, Pashto
Means «servant, boy» in Arabic. It is often used as the first part of compound names.
Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
There’s no dearth of inspiration when it comes to baby names. Some look up to their family tree while others pick the name of their favorite television or movie character. But some people like to stick to their culture while selecting a baby name, especially the Arabs. As Carlyle had said, giving a name is a poetic art. Arabs do not just look for meanings in names. They are also concerned about how the name sounds and if the syllables flow well or not. They want a name that rolls mellifluously from the tongue and has elements that fit well with each other. Yes, everything is taken into consideration while naming in the language of the angels, Arabic. Arab names also come in two versions, which are pre and post-Islam. The pre-Islamic names were usually derived from nature, vocabulary words, or occupation. Some pre-Islamic names also reflect personal characteristics. The post-Islamic names are influenced by 99 attributes of Allah and Islam. Variations of the name Muhammad are also considered. And almost all the Arabic names have Arabic words. So you even have the option of making your own Arabic name. Below is Momjunction’s extensive database of arabic boy names and arabic girl names with meanings.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Aaaqil |
 |
 Boy |
One who is wise and intelligent. |
| Aaarabisk |
|
Boy |
A person who is wishful and healthy |
| Aaban |
|
Boy |
Name of the Angel, 8th Persian month, angel of iron, name aban also in some cases has the meaning spontaneous and versatile |
| Aabdar |
|
Boy |
Name aabdar has a quranic origin which means Moon light, early, quick. It is derived from the B-D-R root which is used in the Quran in verse 3:123 in the word Badr, which means “full moon†and is the name of a famous battle. |
| Aabinus |
|
Boy |
Meaning of word aabinus is Ebony, Dark colored |
| Aadab |
|
 Girl |
Name aadab has a meaning of Hope and need. The person who brings hope to the family |
| Aadam |
|
Boy |
Malay version of Adam, meaning ‘father of mankind’. |
| Aadeel |
|
Boy |
aadeel means Righteous and Just, it also means “one who acts with justice and fairnessâ€, “moderateâ€, “virtuousâ€, “excellent in character |
| Aadil |
|
Boy |
aadil means righteous, high in moral and virtuous, suggesting sanctimonious |
| Aadila |
|
Girl |
the female counterpart of aadil, which means a person with justified morality |
| Aadina |
|
Girl |
the name aadina has a meaning of delicate, slender it also has a meaning of Friday |
| Aaeedah |
|
Girl |
The name means Something of value given in return of some thing good, Reward in some cases it means return |
| Aaeesha |
|
Girl |
the word has the meaning of She who lives» or «womanly» |
| Aafaaq |
|
Boy |
Horizons |
| Aafia |
|
Girl |
The name signifies the person who cool and composed and free from all worries |
| Aafiya |
|
Boy |
the person who has a very sound body and health |
| Aafiyah |
|
Girl |
the word means Healthy, or it signifies the person who has a state of well being |
| Aafiyat |
|
Girl |
Health, freedom from illness. |
| Aafreeda |
|
Girl |
the name signifies a person who is just put to existence or produced |
| Aafreen |
|
Girl |
Afareen is a Persian name for girls, sometimes also used for Boys, that means «to praise», «to give thanks», «to congratulate», it is also an expression of praise and gratitude |
| Aaftab |
|
Boy |
the name means sunlight or the Sun |
| Aahad |
|
Boy |
Unity, oneness, harmony |
| Aahil |
|
Boy |
Aahil is an Arabic word that means «great king», «great leader», «emperor», a king or ruler who presides over multiple nations and countries. |
| Aaida |
|
Girl |
aaida has many meaning in different languages, like in french it means the one who is helpful, in hebrew it means Ornament or brightness |
| Aaila |
|
Girl |
the word aaila means Beautiful, attractive and possessing charm just like a moon |
| Aaima |
|
Girl |
aaima means the one who is supreme leader or the one who leads or conducts |
| Aaira |
|
Girl |
the one who is worthy of respect, who is noble and honorable |
| Aaishaa |
|
Girl |
the name means the one who is alive or living his life to the fullest |
| Aakif |
|
Boy |
The act of being strongly bonded towards someone or attached, it also means “one who stays at the mosque to worship Allahâ€, “one who stays away from people to dedicate himself to Allah†|
| Aakifah |
|
Girl |
the name aakifah means means “one who stays at the mosque to worship Allahâ€, “one who stays away from people to dedicate himself to Allah†|
| Aakrama |
|
Boy |
Name of a famous companion of Prophet Muhammad. |
| Aala |
|
Girl |
This means having a quality of being generous, bounties, ample or plentiful |
| Aalaa |
|
Girl |
The one who has a great values or quality, highest in the world |
| Aalam |
|
Boy |
aalam has a meaning of World or universe, the one belonging to the whole World |
| Aalamgeer |
|
Boy |
this means the supreme conqueror of the world, Defeatless |
| Aalee |
|
Boy |
Noble and majestic, highly impressive and awe-inspiring |
| Aaleyah |
|
Girl |
The one having superior social standing and the one exalted, of high esteem |
| Aali |
|
Boy |
The another name of Allah or the almighty |
| Aalia |
|
Girl |
The one having superior social standing and the one exalted, of high esteem |
| Aalif |
|
Boy |
The one that is sympathetic or compassionate, affectionate to others |
| Aalim |
|
Boy |
the one who is Knowledgeable, high scholor, very wise |
| Aalin |
|
Girl |
the name means «beautiful, calm, fair, graceful, serene.» |
| Aalina |
|
Girl |
aalina has a greek origin which means Light |
| Aaliya |
|
Girl |
the one who is excellent, and of high position who is supreme |
| Aaliyah |
|
Girl |
the name means To Ascend, High, Lofty, Sublime, Highly Exalted, Tall, Towering, The High, Exalted One |
| Aalya |
|
Girl |
The one who is very smooth soft and serene |
| Aamaal |
|
Girl |
The word means the belief or expectation or aspiration |
| Aamal |
|
Girl |
the word means to get to work or stay in motion |
| Aamanee |
|
Girl |
The good desire, Hope or a sound blessing |
| Aamil |
|
Boy |
it means a Hardworking person, doer |
| Aamin |
|
Boy |
the one having A great grace of God, the one who is divine |
| Aamina |
|
Girl |
This was the name of mother of prophet Muhammad |
| Aaminabee |
|
Girl |
The one who is blessed with the grace of god |
| Aamira |
|
Girl |
The superior or being prosperous and abundant |
| Aamirah |
|
Girl |
the one having residing in a divine place, close to god |
| Aamish |
|
Boy |
The meaning of this name is the one full of enjoyment this also means food or meat |
| Aamna |
|
Girl |
the state of tranquility and harmony |
| Aani |
|
Girl |
The name came from a famous literary woman and poetess in qastaniniyah |
| Aani |
|
Girl |
Aani was the name of a poetess and scholar in Qastaniniyah. |
| Aaniya |
|
Girl |
the meaning of aaniya is affectionate, Caring and consoler |
| Aaqaa |
|
Boy |
the supreme owner or father, having full authority |
| Aaqib |
|
Boy |
the follower of allah, follower |
| Aaqil |
|
Boy |
the who blessed with quick cognitive capacity, intelligent |
| Aara |
|
Girl |
the person who can be adored, adoring |
| Aaraa |
|
Girl |
the act of adoring or embellishing |
| Aarash |
|
Boy |
First ray of the sun. |
| Aarib |
|
Boy |
the one who is healthy and very handsome |
| Aarifa |
|
Girl |
One endowed with great knowledge. |
| Aariz |
|
Boy |
the one who is a respectable man, intelligent, the one who leads |
| Aaro |
|
Boy |
Progressive; Mountain of strength. Derives from name Aharon |
| Aaroh |
|
Boy |
the one having high qualities as a mountain |
| Aarzam |
|
Boy |
the name means War, battle or being conqueror |
| Aasaf |
|
Boy |
the one who is very clear or lined up |
| Aaseamah |
|
Girl |
the one who is protector |
| Aaseayah |
|
Girl |
A deep thinker, having an appearance of deep thinker |
| Aaseemah |
|
Girl |
The person having the spirit to protect and guide others |
| Aaseeyah |
|
Girl |
Full of yearning or thoughtful |
| Aaseiyah |
|
Girl |
One who tends and heals the weak and poor |
| Aasemah |
|
Girl |
A guardian angel |
| Aaseyah |
|
Girl |
One who be apt to weak and the one who makes good console & comfort |
| Aasfa |
|
Girl |
the protector or the sole guardian |
| Aashik |
|
Boy |
The true lover, a suitor |
| Aashiq |
|
Boy |
The true lover, a suitor |
| Aashir |
|
Boy |
the one who is alive or Living |
| Aasieyah |
|
Girl |
This name gives you capability of organising, planning & carrying work for great success |
| Aasil |
|
Boy |
Name itself gives aggression. means to assault cruelly and constantly |
| Aasim |
|
Boy |
The one who is a Protector and Guardian |
| Aasima |
|
Girl |
Protector and defender |
| Aasimah |
|
Girl |
Someone who guards, watches over or protects |
| Aasiya |
|
Girl |
Goodness or the one who is very hopeful |
| Aasiyah |
|
Girl |
Pharaoh’s Wife who Embraced Islam |
| Aasma |
|
Girl |
The one who is regarded with love and tenderness |
| Aasmaa |
|
Girl |
Excellent; precious |
| Aasymah |
|
Girl |
The one who is a Protector and Guardian |
| Aatazaz |
|
Boy |
Someone important or servant of the mighty. |
| Aati |
|
Boy |
The one who is generous. |
| Aatif |
|
Boy |
Kind and affectionate |
| Aatifa |
|
Girl |
Affection and Sympathy |
| Aatikah |
|
Girl |
Kind and affectionate |
| Aatiq |
|
 Unisex |
In case of a girl it means a very Young women while in case of a Boy it has a meaning of Liberated, Independent or Free |
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By: Lindsey Penn/Arab America Contributing Writer
In every culture, names have significance. Understanding these names can give a lot of insight into the culture, showing what is important to them in terms of qualities, history, and more. The Arab world is no different-each name that has a specific meaning. Here are a few common names and their meaning. For each of these names, there are multiple ways to spell it in English. This article is part 3 in a series.
Omar (Arabic: عمر)
Now a popular name around the globe, Omar is a boy’s name that means “flourishing”. It comes from the Arabic word meaning “life”, which has the same root as the name. Omar (but spelled like Umar) was also the name of one of the Prophet Muhammad’s companions and was the second Muslim caliph. Many people consider him to be a great founder of the Muslim state.
As for famous people with the same name, there are Omar Khairat, an Egyptian pianist, Omar Mukhtar, a Libyan who fought the Italian occupation of Libya, and Omar Abu-Riche, a Syrian poet.
Othman (Arabic: عثمان)
Othman also spelled Uthman, is another boy’s name. It means “baby bustard” or “wise”. A bustard is a type of bird. One of the Prophet Muhammad’s companions were named Uthman. He married two of the Prophet Muhammad’s daughters and was the third caliph of the Muslims.
As Othman can also be written as Osman and can be a surname, there are many famous people with the name. Some famous people with the name include Arwa Othman, a Yemeni writer, and Othman Al Omeir, a Saudi businessman.
Qasim (Arabic: قاسم)
Also a name for boys, Qasim means “someone who divides goods among the people”. It comes from the Arabic root (q-s-m or قسم), meaning “to divide” or “to share”. The Prophet Muhammad named one of his sons Qasim.
Famous people with the name Qasim (first or last, also with alternate spellings) are Awn Alsharif Qasim, a Sudanese writer, Kacem El Ghazzali, a Moroccan-Swiss author, and Qasem Burhan, a Qatari soccer player.
Rashid (Arabic: رشيد)
Rashid is a boy’s name that means “rightly guided”. It is also one of the 99 names of Allah.
Famous people named Rashid include Rashid Taha (an Algerian musician), Rachid Yazami (a Moroccan and French scientist), and Rashed Al Hooti (a Bahraini soccer player).
Rashida (Arabic: رشيدة)
This name has the same meaning as Rashid, but it is a girl’s name. A famous person with the name Rashida is Rashida al-Qaili, a Yemeni journalist.
Rashad (Arabic: رشاد)
Yet another name for boys, Rashad comes from the Arabic word for “to be on the right path”. Rashad means “good sense” or “good guidance”. Celebrities with the name Rashad include Rashad Barbir, a Lebanese soccer player, and Rashad Khalifa, an Egyptian-American biochemist.
Rania (Arabic: رانية)
Rania is a name is for girls and it means “delightful” or “looking at”, coming from the Arabic root that means “to gaze”. Famous people with the name Rania are Rania al Abdullah, the Queen of Jordan, Rania Sabeh, a Lebanese model, and Rania Mamoun, a Sudanese journalist.
Sadiq (Arabic: صادق)
A name for boys, Sadiq means “loyal”. Some people with the name Sadiq are Sadiq El Fitouri, a Libyan soccer player, and Sadiq Jaber, an Iraqi soccer player.
Safiyyah (Arabic: صفية)
Meaning “pure” in Arabic, Safiyyah (or Safia or Safiya) was one of the names of one of the Prophet Muhammad’s wives. Famous people named Safiyyah are Safia El Emari (an Egyptian actress), Safia Boukhima (an Algerian volleyball player), and Safia Abukar Hussein (a Somali runner).
Sa’id (Arabic: سعيد)
Sa’id is a very common boy’s name in Arabic, with multiple spellings in English. It means “happy” or “lucky”. One of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad was named Sa’id.
Two people with the name Sa’id are Said Sheikh Samatar, a historian from Somalia, and Said bin Taimur, a former sultan of Oman.
Sai’da (Arabic: سعيدة)
With the same meaning as Sa’id, Sa’ida is a girl’s name. One famous person with the name Sa’ida is Saida Agrebi, a Tunisian politician.
Sara (Arabic: سارة)
Sara is a girl’s name meaning “pure”, “happiness”, “joy”, and “delight”, among many other meanings. It is a name from the Old Testament, where Sara was Abraham’s wife. The name is now hugely popular around the world and is one of the most popular names. One (of many) famous people with the name Sara is Sara Salama, an Egyptian actress.
Here is a huge list of Arabic names.
You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
Check out Arab America’s blog here!
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These powerful and meaningful Arabic boy names could be perfect for your little boy.
Aayan
Aayan is an Arabic baby boy name that means “God’s gift.”
A baby is a gift from God, and if you wish to raise your swift and bright kid to be a religious one, then Aayan could be just suitable for him.
In the Indian languages, Aayan means “the one who is bright, and religiously inclined.” Other meanings include “coming or approaching” and “swift or speed.”
Trendy
Abbas
A strong name with Arabic and Hebrew origin, Abbas means “the Lion.”
The common roots of Islam and Judaism are evident in Abbas. Other meanings of Abbas include “father, stern, and somber.” Abbas is no chirpy little trouble maker and could be a perfect name for parents who hope to encourage strong leadership in their boy’s life.
Banu Abbas is an Arab clan known as the Abbasid dynasty or Abbasids. From 750 to 1258 AD, as the ruling family of the Caliphate, they were the supreme heads of the Islamic world.
Classic, Cool
Abdul
In the Arabic language, Abdul means “servant.”
Now you may wonder, why would I name my child to be a servant? If you are a religious parent, then what better way to show your faithfulness than to dedicate your child to God.
Abdul is no man’s servant, but the Lord’s! Better yet, to name him Abdullah makes it all the more apparent, with it meaning “the servant of God.”
Vintage, Classic
Adnan
Adnan is an Arabic name that means “one who settles for a long time in a place.”
We are talking about the eternal settlement, better known as paradise. Who wouldn’t wish for their child to ultimately attain a blissful life in paradise?
Classic, Unique
Ahmad
Ahmad is an Arabic name that means “the one who constantly thanks God.”
What better way to instill a life of gratitude in your son than naming him Ahmad! Ahmed and Ahmet are some spelling variations of this name. As a baby boy name, Ahmad has the same roots as Hamid, Mahmud, and Muhammad.
Did you know that Ahamad offers the highest number of spelling variations (transliterations) in the world? Prophet Muhammad is said to have been named Ahmad at birth by his mother.
Classic, Popular
Ahsan
A gorgeous choice for your baby boy, Ahsan means “the most beautiful one.” As a masculine name of Arabic origin, Ahsan has multiple meanings such as “excellence,” “perfection,” “the best of all,” and “superior.”
In its Sanskrit meaning, Ahsan means “gratitude.” A similar-sounding name to consider is Ihsan, which means “to do beautiful things.”
Cool, Pretty
Ajmal
Ajmal is a masculine name from the land of Arabia, meaning “very handsome, most beautiful, delightful, and excellent.”
Alternate name spellings for your handsome young lad include Ejmal, Ajmel, and Agma.
Unique, Vintage
Aladdin
Aladdin is a name of Arabic origin, meaning “excellence, nobility, faith, and religion.”
Aladdin brings to mind flying carpets and genies and, of course, Aladdin’s legendary love for his princess Jasmine! It’s hard to separate this name from Disney’s classic portrayal of Aladdin and his magic lamp.
Alaudin and Aladin are other spelling variations worth considering.
Trendy, Cool
Ali
Ali has the meanings “exalted,” “noble,” and “supreme” in the Arabic language.
Although an Arab baby boy name, Ali is now popular for naming girls as well. Aly and Ally are some variations of this name used for baby girls.
Ali is often used as a surname as well. American professional boxer, Muhammad Ali, nicknamed “the greatest,” may be considered the most celebrated sports figure of the 20th-century. Ali ibn Abi Ṭalib was the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed.
Classic, Cute
Amal
Amal is a unisex Arabic name meaning “aspiration,” “expectation,” or “hope.”
As a Biblical name, Amal belongs to the tribe of Asher and has the meaning “laborer” or “hard worker.”
Amal is gaining popularity for baby girls considering the fame of Amal Alamuddin, the international human rights lawyer. Maybe you know her better as Amal Clooney, the wife of Hollywood actor George Clooney.
Trendy, Cute
Amir
Amir is an Arabic name meaning “the prince” or “the cultivated one.”
Every boy is a handsome prince in the eyes of his parents! In its Hebrew origin, Amir means “treetop,” while Amir means “rich” in Sanskrit.
The name gained popularity in the U.S. after American actor Omar Epps named his son Amir.
Cute, Cool
Arham
With Arabic meanings such as “kind,” “generous,” and “merciful,” Arham is quite a popular name in the Muslim community.
But Arham is also claimed by the Hindu community, with its Hindi meaning of “the most compassionate one.” Either way, there is no doubt that a boy named Arham may be a kind and lovable soul.
Unique
Arif
In its Arabic origin, Arif means “the one endowed with great knowledge.”
Wise, intelligent, kind, and good! Aren’t these all traits we wish for in our children? And these are the exact meanings attributed to the baby boy named Arif.
Spelling variations you can consider without changing the meaning of the name include Aarif, Aaref, and Aref.
Modern, Cute
Arsalan
Arsalan is a boy name with Persian and Urdu roots and has the meaning “fearless.”
The Turkish boy name Aslan meaning “the lion,” is the modern version of the Kurdish name Arsalan which translates to “king of the jungle.”
You could name your brave little boy Arsalan and call him Arsal for short. Arsal is an Urdu name meaning “the one who was sent.”
Regal, Unique
Arshad
The Muslim name Arshad is derived from the Arabic name Rashid meaning “rightly guided or the right path.”
Have you heard of the rags to riches story of Arshad Khan, the dreamy-eyed Pakistani chai wala (tea-maker) who became a celebrated actor, eventually owning a cafe? You could say he was “rightly guided” towards a shining destiny.
Classic
Aryan
Aryan is a name of Indian origin, and in Sanskrit, it means “high-born” and “honorable.”
History tells us about the Aryan supremacy of Nazi Germany and the Indus Valley Civilization of Aryans in India, who were considered noble and superior to the rest. The boy’s name Aryan is quite popular in Indian and Arab culture.
Aryan Khan is the son of Shah Rukh Khan, the reigning king of Bollywood cinema.
Cool, Trendy
Asad
Asad or Assad in Arabic means “lion.”
As a baby boy’s name, Asad also means “lucky” and “happy.” Sounds perfect for a brave, cheerful kid who has Lady Luck on his side. If you wish for a more religious-sounding name, you could try Asadullah, meaning the “Lion of Allah.”
Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed, was known by the nickname Asad Allāh. The name Azad, on the other hand, stands for “freedom” and “liberation.”
Bold, Regal
Ashar
Ashar means “the one with wisdom” and has its roots in both Arabic and Indian culture.
The similar-sounding name Asher is derived from “osher,” a Hebrew word meaning “blessed” and “happy.”
Iqbal Ashhar is an Indian poet, while Justin Ashar is a Canadian artist who plays the harmonium.
Classic
Ashraf
Ashraf is a baby boy name derived from the Arabic word “Sharif.” It means “noble, most distinguished one or the most honorable one.”
The French transliteration of this name is Achraf. Ashraf is a very popular choice for naming boys in Egypt, Morocco, Israel, and Pakistan.
It is also used as a surname- such as Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, who was the Prime Minister of Pakistan from 2012 to 2013.
Regal, Vintage
Asif
Asif has both Arabic and Hebrew roots with many meanings such as “fierce, strong, and stormy.”
If you are looking for a powerful masculine name, look no further than Asif. The Urdu meaning of Asif is “forgiveness.”
Asif is mentioned in the Quran multiple times, making it a favorite among ardent Muslims.
Classic
Asim
Asim is an inspiring Arabic baby boy name that means “guardian, rescuer, and defender.”
Asim is trendy among Muslims, as it is mentioned three times in the Quran. Asim also has an Egyptian origin with the meaning “protector.”
Asem is a charming spelling variant although it is regarded as a baby girl’s name, meaning “beautiful, magnificent, and elegant.”
Stately, Trendy
Atif
Atif is a baby boy name of Arabic origin with the meanings “affectionate, kind, and compassionate.”
Atif is the ideal name for parents who hope to raise a strong leader who is merciful and kind. The name is popular among Muslims across the world.
Atif Aslam is a Pakistani singer, Atif Bashir is a German footballer, and Atif Sheikh is an English cricketer.
Stately, Popular
Ayman
Ayman is an Arabic name that means “the righteous one,” “blessed,” and “lucky.”
Ayman is mentioned in the Quran, making it quite popular among Muslims. Ayman ibn Ubayd was a companion of Prophet Muhammad.
Eymen is a unique alternative more commonly used in Turkey, while it’s usually spelled Aiman in Malaysia. Aiman is considered more of a girl’s name, which means “beauty of the moon.”
Classic
Aziz
In Arabic, Aziz takes on the meaning “strong” and “powerful.”
Aziz is a really powerful name to bestow upon a baby boy. Aziz implies a sense of strength, might, and power in its Hebrew origin.
As a Semitic word, Aziz describes the glory and power of kings and divine beings. But that’s not all! Aziz can also mean “dear,” “precious,” or “darling.”
Classic
Azmi
Short and trendy, Azmi is a unisex name of Arabic origin. It means “the one who fulfills his promise.”
“Determined, resolute, purposeful, and strong” are also meanings attributed to this name.
As a Muslim girl name, Azmi is often associated with someone who is “extremely wise.” Azmee, Azmy, and Ezmi are variations of this name.
Trendy, Cool
Daniyal
Daniyal is an Arabic boy name that means “intellectual.”
You must have heard of the biblical story, Daniel in the lion’s den? The Islamic name Daniyal comes from the Hebrew name Daniel. “God is my judge” is the Hebrew meaning of Daniel, while Daniyal also has the meanings “sage” and “intellectual.”
Daniyal is a unique name compared to Daniel. You can call him Dany or even Dan, in short.
Classic
Dawoud
Dawoud or Daud is the Arabic variant of the biblical name David. While David means “beloved,” Dawoud has additional meanings of “happiness” and “riches.”
King David is a prominent figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, so Dawoud is also interpreted as a “ruler or judge.”
Other spelling variations include Dawood, Dawud, and Davood.
Vintage
Ehsan
Ehsan is an Arabic baby boy name that means “excellence” or “perfection.”
It is derived from the Arabic word “husn,” which means “beauty.” But Ehsan or Ihsan is more about doing beautiful things rather than looking beautiful.
Its female variant, Ehsa, is a popular choice for little girls.
Cool, Popular
Fahad
Fahad is a Persian name meaning “panther” or “leopard.”
Every parent wishes for their sons to be strong lads. Fahd and Fahed are spelling variants of the name, carrying a sense of strength and speed.
In Urdu, Fahad also has the meaning “counselor” or “guide.”
Classic
Faisal
Faisal is a Muslim boy name with multiple meanings, including “sword, judge, ruler, and resolute.”
Faisal is a decisive ruler whose sword divides sharply between right and wrong. Faisal is a good choice for boys with leadership qualities.
Faizal and Faysal are other spelling options you can consider.
Stately, Bold
Farhan
Farhan in Arabic means “laughter,” “happiness,” and “joyousness.”
It could be a great choice for your boy who is likely to brighten up any place with his cheerfulness and laughter- the one who everyone adores!
Many famous personalities have this name, such as Farhan Niazi, Farhan Beiherdin, or Farhan Nizami. Farhan is quite popular in South and West Asia. Dr. Farhan Nizami is the founder and director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, an organization dedicated to the advanced study of Islam.
Contemporary
Farouq
Farouq is an Arabic name that means “the one who has the ability to recognize between right and wrong.”
Farouq could be perfect for parents who wish to raise a strong and integrity-filled leader. This name is also popular in Urdu and Persian communities.
Farouq has many name variants that start with F, including Farouk, Farook, Farouqi, Farooq, and Faruk.
Popular
Fayez
Fayez is a unique Arabic boy name that means “the one who is always a victor.”
If you feel your little one is born to lead, Fayez can be the right name for him.
Fayez is one of the top trending baby names and is very popular in central and south Asia. You can’t go wrong with this name which beautifully describes the “winner” in your child.
Unique, Trendy
Galib
The name Galib originates from Arabia and means “to overcome” or “to defeat.”
Mirza Galib is one of the great Urdu poets of the Mughal era that history has seen. His poems are the most quotable to date and depict almost all situations of life.
If you want to address the creative side of your child, Galib could be an ideal choice. It can be used as a first name, middle name, or surname as well.
Classic
Habib
Habib is a frequently used Arabic name that has the meaning “beloved” or “friend.”
Habib is popular among both Muslims and Jews, originating from the Arabic word “habba,” meaning “love,” and “admiration.”
In Hebrew, the name is pronounced Haviv. It can be used both as a first name or last name- for example, Aftab Habib, Brian Habib, Habib Dehgani, and Habib Girgis.
Popular
Hafeez
Hafeez is an Arabic name meaning “the guardian” or “the protector.”
This is a relatively modern name that aptly describes the personality traits of a bold leader. Hafeez showcases courage, vigor, and fearlessness and can be a great choice for your “little tiger.”
Mohammad Hafeez, the Pakistani international cricketer, is considered one of the best all-rounders in cricket.
Trendy, Modern
Haider
The meaning of the Arabic name Haider is “the lion,” which could be perfect for parents who hope to raise a brave and virtuous young boy.
Haider is spelled in many different ways, such as Hyder, Heidar, Haidhar, and Haidr. Haider is also used as a German surname and mainly refers to the people who came from Haider. For example, the Haidar Village in Romania or Haidar Usmonov in West Tajikistan.
Karl Michael Haider was a German painter. Hyder Ali Khan was the father of Tipu Sultan, a ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore.
Classic
Hamid
Hamid in Arabic means “praiser of Allah.”
In Turkish, it is often pronounced as Hamed and means “praiseworthy.” It is an apt name if you hope to raise a boy which people genuinely admire. Hamid is used as a first name, middle name as well as a surname.
Some of the very famous personalities with this name are Hamed Rasouli, the Iranian footballer, and Hamid Arzulu, the Azerbaijani poet and doctor of philology.
Vintage
Hamza
This Arabic name means “lion.” Hamza represents a persona that is brave, strong, and steadfast.
The name Hamza has Persian and Egyptian roots and has multiple pronunciations. It can be pronounced as Hamzah, Hamsah, Hamzeh, and Humza.
Hamza ibn Muttalib was one of prophet Muhammad’s uncles. He was highly regarded for his bravery and courage.
Modern, Trendy
Haseeb
Haseeb means “respected” or “noble.” This is primarily an Arabic name but also has its roots in Turkish and Persian culture.
Haseeb has been mentioned in the Quran as Al-Hasib, with a mild variation to the spelling. He was the bringer of judgment and is one of the many names of God in Islam.
Haseeb is also a very popular name among Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and Palestinians.
Popular, Trendy
Hassan
Hassan in Arabic means “doer of good deeds” or ”benefactor.” It also means “good-looking” or “handsome.”
The name is a variant form of al-Hasan and comes from the same Arabic root as Hasan. Hasan was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Hassan is also very popular as a surname amongst Scots, Irish people, and Jews.
Hasana is a female variant meaning “beautiful and fair.”
Popular
Haydar
Haydar is one of the many names of “lions” in Arabic. The personality traits of bravery, fearlessness, and leadership are attributed to this name.
Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law and companion of Prophet Muhammad, was nicknamed Haydar. Shia Muslims consider him the first Imam and the rightful successor of the Prophet.
Haydar is also the name of a village in the Ankara Province of Turkey.
Vintage
Hazem
The Arabic name Hazem means “firm,” “resolute,” and “determined” used for both boys and girls.
Bold, energetic, and strong-willed child. Hazem has multiple spellings, including Hazm or Hazim. This name can also be found in languages such as Hindi, Bangla, and Urdu.
Famous personalities with this name are Hazem Emam, the soccer player, and Hazem El Masri, the rugby player.
Trendy
Hussein
Hussein or its variant Hussain comes from the Arabic name Husayn. These are derived from the Arabic word “hasuna,” meaning “beautiful” and “good.”
Hussein was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, a highly recognized figure by both Shia and Sunni Muslims.
- F. Husain is a famous Indian painter, while Saddam Hussein needs no introduction.
Classic
Ibrahim
Ibrahim, in Hebrew, means “father of many” or “the father of nations.” It is the Muslim variation of the Christian name Abraham.
Ibrahim is known as the Father of the Arab people and was the one who rebuilt Kaba after the great flood destroyed the place. According to the Quran, his faith was tested by Allah on many occasions, including when he was commanded to sacrifice his son Ismail.
In the Bible, Abraham is asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac. In both interpretations, God is impressed with his dedication, and in the end, the child is not sacrificed. Thus Ibrahim is an apt name for a religious child dedicated to God.
Classic
Idris
Idris is an Arabic name that means “smart” and “studious.” It also has a Welsh origin, meaning “ardent” or “dedicated to the Lord.”
Idris has been mentioned in the Quran as a Prophet, and many legendary stories are included about him in Arabic folklore. Idris is described as being patient and trustworthy.
Girls can be named Idris too. Idris Elba is an English actor and musician.
Vintage, Unique
Iman
In Arabic, Iman means “faith” or “believer.”
It is a unisex name historically given more to girls but is experiencing a crossover with modern parents. The feminine version of Iman is usually spelled as Imaan.
Iman is an appropriate name for a child raised to be a firm believer in humanity and a strong faith in the Almighty.
Classic
Imran
The Arabic boy name Imran means “prosperity” or “great pleasure.” In Urdu, it means “long-lived.”
In Urdu, it is the name of Hazrat Musa’s Father, an important prophet and messenger of God. Also pronounced as Emran or Omran, this can be a fitting name for your bundle of joy you wish for lifelong happiness and prosperity.
Imran Ahmed Khan is the prime minister of Pakistan and a former cricketer.
Classic, Trendy
Iqbal
Iqbal in Arabic means “good fortune,” “success,” and “prosperity.”
In the Punjabi language, Iqbal means “the one who is strong.” Ikbal, Eqbal, and Eghbal are some spelling variants of this name.
As a Persian name, Eqbal means “luck.” Indian poet Allama Iqbal was well known as a philosopher and scholar.
Popular, Trendy
Irfan
Irfan is an Arabic name that means “knowledge,” “awareness,” and “wisdom.”
Even though it originated in Arabia, the name is equally popular in Turkey and Persia. Irfan is a name with both strength and character.
In Urdu, it means “thankfulness” and is often pronounced as Erfan.
Classic
Ismail
This Arabic name means “heard by God.” In Urdu, it refers to Prophet Ishmael, the son of Prophet Abraham.
The story refers to Prophet Abraham’s child born to the Egyptian handmaiden, Hagar. His wife, Sarah, banishes Hagar and Ismail. But God rescues and promises to make him into a “great nation.” Ismail goes on to become a great Prophet and is the forefather of the Arab tribes.
Ismail is also a common name In Spain and Catalonia and is pronounced as “Ismael.”
Trendy, Classic
Jamal
The Arabic baby boy name Jamal means “beautiful” or “handsome.” It speaks of inner beauty and beautiful deeds.
This name is also very popular in Africa, Central Asia, and South Asia. It is used by African Americans and certain sects in Russia. In Egypt, it is pronounced as Gamal, whereas in Eastern Africa, it is Jamel.
Many famous footballers are named Jamal, including Jamal Bhuyan, Jamal Anderson, and Jamal Adams.
Popular
Javed
Javed is an Arabic name that means “eternal,” “immortal,” or “everlasting.”
It also has its roots in Persian and Urdu languages. Also spelled as Jawid, or Jawed, this name is very popular in Islamic countries.
Javed wasn’t that famous until the early 20th century when it was chosen as a pseudonym by Huseyn Javid, a poet from Azerbaijan. Javed is also used as a middle name or surname.
Classic
Junaid
Junaid is an Arabic name that means “soldier, warrior, or fighter.” It originates from the Arabic word “jund,” which means “soldier.”
Junaid beautifully depicts the bold nature of a brave warrior. If your son is upfront, courageous, and likes to be in charge, you can’t go wrong with Junaid.
Junaid Jamshed is a Pakistani musician with three wives.
Popular
Kabir
Kabir in Arabic means “powerful, leader, or great.”
Kabir is a suitable name for a poetic and creative child. Kabir Das was an Indian mystic poet and saint who lived in the 15th century. He believed in the path of righteousness and divinity. His legacy continues through his writings “Kabir Panth,” also known as the Path of Kabir.
Kabir is mentioned many times in the Quran. Al-Kabir is one of Allah’s names in Islam.
Classic, Popular
Kamal
Kamal is an Arabic name that means ”perfection” and “excellence,” while in Persian, it means “beauty.” The “lotus flower” is also known as Kamal in the Sanskrit language.
Whichever meaning you prefer, Kamal can be a great choice for your child.
Kamal showcases the strength of character and the beauty of the mind. It is suitable for both boys and girls. Kamal Haasan is a famous Indian film actor.
Modern, Beautiful
Kamran
Kamran is an Arabic name that means “prosperous, successful, blessed.” In Persian, it translates to “fortunate.”
Kamran is a unique name that could encourage a life of virtue and perseverance within your boy. Kamran is also very common in countries such as Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Many famous personalities have this name, from Pakistani international cricketer Kamran Akmal to Kamran Shirazi, an International Master of chess.
Unique
Kareem
Kareem is an Arabic name that means “gracious, generous, noble.” The name has its mention in the Quran as well. Kareem is one of the 99 Names of God (Allah) in Islam.
Also spelled as Karim or Kerim, this is a very common name among famous footballers, athletes and actors.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was a famous American basketball player. Karim Masimov was the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.
Classic
Kashif
Kashif in Arabic means “discoverer” or “revealer.”
What do you name a boy who is filled with curiosity? Kashif! His quest to learn, his search for knowledge – a name such as Kashif could set him apart from the general mass. The name itself suggests greatness or success – something all parents wish for their child to experience.
Also spelled as Kaashif, Kashef, or Kasif, the name is steeped in tradition yet very modern.
Trendy
Khalid
This Arabic name means “eternal, everlasting, or immortal.” In English, it means “heaven.”
Khalid speaks of courage, bravery, and determination. Other variations include Khaled and Kalid.
Khalid ibn-al-Walid, a famous Muslim military leader, brought the defeat of the Byzantine Empire, consequently expelling them from Syria. Prophet Mohammed nicknamed him Sayfullah, which means “the Sword of Allah.”
Bold, Classic
Khalil
Khalil or Khaleel is an Arabic name that means “friend.”
Khalil aur Khalil-ulllah, which means “friend of Allah,” is believed to be a title given to Prophet Ibrahim as an honor.
In Hebrew, Khalil means “crown” or “wealth.” If you wish to encourage a gentle and wise soul in the life of your boy, Khalil could be a great choice. Khalil speaks of poise, camaraderie, love, and humanity.
Vintage
Laraib
Laraib is an Arabic name that means “pure” and “truthful.”
Laraib is a popular choice for both boys and girls. The name has multiple meanings, including “faultless,” “intact,” and “not suspicious.” It is mentioned in the Quran with la-raib that literally translates to “no doubt.”
If you name your son Laraib, then you can call him Larbi for short. Larbi means ”for the lord.”
Unique, Modern
Majid
Majid means “glorious” and “noble” in Arabic. Majid is the “one who is honorable” and has the attributes of Allah.
Often the name is combined with other names such as Abdul Majid, which means “all glorious.”
It may also be spelled as Majed. Majid may be perfect if you value characteristics such as generosity and compassion. Al-Maajid is one of Allah’s 99 names.
Popular
Malik
In the Quran, Allah is Al-Malik, the one whose dominion is clear from imperfection. He is the Sovereign Lord. As a baby boy’s name, Malik means the “owner” or “the chief.”
Variations of this name include Melik, Malek, Melekh, and Malick. In Slovenian, Malík is used as a pet name for a small person.
If you are looking for a more holy name, then you can dedicate him to Allah by naming him Abdul Malik, which means “servant of the King.”
Ethnic
Mansour
Mansour in Arabic means “he who is victorious.” The name has its roots in the Arabic word “nasr,” which means “victory.”
Mansour may also be spelled Mounsor, Monsur, Mansoor, or Manser. A great name if you wish a life of success for your little boy.
As a surname, Mansour can be traced back centuries to the former Duchy of Normandy. Mansour Bahrani is a famous Iranian tennis player.
Vintage
Marwan
Marwan is a powerful Arabic name that means “strong lion.”
In its Brazilian origin, the name Marwan comes from the word “marou,” a type of stone used to ignite a fire in ancient times.
Marwan is a suitable choice for a child with the ability to light up whatever he touches. You can experiment with spelling variants such as Merwan, Maruan, or Marouane.
Unique
Mohammed
Mohammed in Arabic means “praiseworthy” or “the one who is always praised.” In Urdu and Hindi, it means “appreciated.”
Mohammed is also spelled as Muhammad. Who hasn’t heard of Muhammad, the Arab, religious leader, prophet, and the founder of Islam? This great prophet has inspired millions with his teachings. It is a strong name that could cultivate a life of wisdom and greatness in your little boy.
Mohammad is one of the most common names in the world. It is believed that around 150 million boys have this name.
Classic, Vintage, Popular
Najib
Najib is an Arabic name that characterizes “excellence.” It has multiple meanings, including “noble, highborn, and outstanding.” In Farsi, Najib means “pure.”
Do you hope to raise your child to be an achiever who will stand out from the rest? Then consider Najib as the name itself means “outstanding.” Najib is generally pronounced as Naa-jee-B. Najib is a popular name in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
Najib Razak was the sixth prime minister of Malaysia from 2009 to 2018. However, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for being guilty of multi-million dollar corruption. No one can say he didn’t stand out in the spotlight.
Popular
Nasir
Nasir is an Arabic name with numerous meanings in Islam and primarily means “defender” or the “one who gives victory.”
In Hebrew, Nasir is known to be “the one who voluntarily took a vow.” In English, it means “supporter” or “the protector.” The name is widely used historically as well as in the modern world.
Al-Nasir was a caliph who ruled from 1158-1225, while Nasir Jones was a famous American rapper. Nazir Kazmi is a famous Pakistani Urdu poet, and Nasir Gebelli is an Iranian-American video game player.
Popular, Trendy
Omar
Omar means “flourishing” and “long-lived” in Arabic. In Hebrew, it means “gifted speaker” and “eloquent.”
Omar is popular among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Omar is mentioned in the Bible as Esau’s son and Jacob’s nephew. Other cultures also claim this name, including Spain and some Nordic countries.
Omar is considered a variant of Germanic names “Ottomar” or “Othmar.”
Vintage
Owais
The Arabic meaning of the name Owais is “the companion of the Prophet.” Owais is the one who is “fearless” and “experienced.”
Awais or Owais comes from the Arabic root word “aws,” meaning “little wolf.”
Aws is an Arab tribe of the city of Madinah. Oways, Ouays, and Uways are alternate spellings you can consider.
Unique
Qadir
Qadir means “powerful” and “capable” in Arabic.
In Islam, Qadir is also pronounced as Kadir, Kader, and Qader. It speaks of a deep connection with the Almighty and conveys strong spirituality.
Very famous personalities share this name, including Abdul Qadir, a world-famous cricketer from Pakistan.
Modern, Popular
Rahim
Rahim is an Arabic name that means “merciful, the one who is compassionate, and kind.”
Rahim has been used along with the name Rahman. These are known to be the two names of Allah. It originates from the word “ra,” which means “chief or leader,” and “him,” which means “merciful.”
Rahim is often used with other names, such as Abdur Rahim, which means “servant of the merciful.”
Classic
Rashid
Rashid in Arabic means “rightly-guided” or “judicious.” Attributes associated with the name include integrity and genuine faith, making this name an apt choice for those who hope for a wise, pious little boy guided on the right path.
The most famous of the Abbasid dynasty is Harun ur-Rashid. He was the fifth Abbasid Caliph, whose period was considered the beginning of the Islamic Golden Age.
Rashid is also spelled as Rasheed. Rashida is the female variant.
Classic
Ridwan
Ridwan is a masculine name of Arabic origin, meaning “grace, contentment, or devoted to God.”
This pious name carries religious importance as it is derived from the Islamic Archangel Ridwan, who oversees Janna or paradise.
Ridhwan, Rezwan, or Rizwan are some spelling variants of this name.
Vintage
Rohaan
Rohaan is a very meaningful name claimed by Muslims, Christians, and Hindus. It has the meanings “spiritual” and “compassionate.”
As an Arabic name, Rohaan means “ascending.” It is also said to be the name of a river in Paradise.
Rohaan is a popular name for Muslim girls as well. In Hinduism, Rohaan is said to be another name for Lord Vishnu.
Unique, Trendy
Saleem
A baby boy name of Arabic origin, Saleem, means “the righteous,” “true” and “perfect.” In Hebrew, the root name of Saleem is Shalem which means “peaceful” and “complete.”
This name has variants, including Salem, Salman, Salim, Salam, Salaam, and Shalim.
In the African language, this name is used as Selam, and in the Turkish language as Selim.
Popular
Salman
Salman is a variation of Salima, a baby girl name of Arabic origin, meaning “to be safe.”
Salman has several other meanings, including “healthy” and “perfect.” Salman was the companion of Prophet Mohammad. Its triconsonant root S-L-M also forms the base for words such as Salaam and Islam.
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the King of Saudi Arabia. He is the 25th son of King Abdulaziz, the Arab tribal leader who founded Saudi Arabia.
Classic
Sameer
Sameer is a Muslim name that means ”a pleasant companion” or “a good friend.” It is derived from the Sanskrit word “samir,” meaning “a gust of wind” or “a gentle breeze.”
Sameer is a popular name the Middle East, India, Central Asia, and Europe. Sameer is also used as another name for Lord Hanuman, making this a popular choice for Hindu boys.
Sameer Anjaan, an Indian lyricist, holds the Guinness World Record for writing the most songs.
Trendy
Sana
Sana is an Arabic unisex name that means “radiance” or “brilliance.” As a boy’s name, Sana takes on the meaning of “praiseworthy” or “praise to Allah.”
Sana is a popular name for girls in India and Asian countries. Other variants include Sanah, Sanna, Sanako, Sanaah, Sane, and Saneh.
Famous personalities with this name include Japanese singer Sana Minatozaki and Indian actress Sana Khan.
Popular
Shafiq
Shafiq is an Arabic baby boy name that means “compassionate, kind, or merciful.” This rare but beautiful name originates from the Quranic SH-F-Q, meaning “compassion or twilight.”
Shafiq can alternatively be spelled as Shafeeq, Shafik, or Shefiq. Shafik Assad is an Israeli politician, while Shafik Chokin is a recognized Kazakh scientist.
It can also be used as a surname, as in the case of Asad Shafiq, the Pakistani international cricketer.
Trendy
Shahbaz
Shahbaz is of Persian origin, meaning “royal falcon” or “king of falcons.” In Farsi, “shah” means “king,” and “baz” means “falcon.”
In Hebrew, Shahbaz stands for “the white falcon.” The falcon is a bird of prey known for its precision and speed.
In Urdu, Shahbaz has different meanings of “a handsome young man” and “a brave person.”
Classic
Shahzad
Shahzad is an Arabic boy name that means “the king’s son.”
Shahzad or Shehzad is derived from the Arabic words “shah,” meaning “king,” and “zad,” which means “son of.” In Persian and Arabic, the name is written as Shahzad.
However, in Turkish, Shahzad is also written as Şehzade, meaning “prince.” Shahzad is used both as a surname and a given name.
Royal, Vintage
Shayan
Shayan is a name of Iranian-Persian origin. It means “clever, intelligent, beautiful and well-behaved.”
Who wouldn’t want their boy to grow into a gallant, chivalrous lad, as well as handsome and wise? As an Irish baby name, Shayan means “courteous.”
Some of the variants of this name include Shaayan, Shayaan, and Shaian. Iranian-American civil rights activist Shayan Modarres and Indian actor Shayan Munshi share the same first name.
Trendy
Shoaib
The name Shoaib has an Arabic origin, and it means “to guide” or “the one who shows the right path to others.”
The name also finds religious significance as Shoaib was the name of an ancient Midianite Prophet in Islam.
A few variants of Shoaib include Shuaib and Shuʿayb. Cricket lovers may be familiar with Shoaib Akhtar, a famous Pakistani fast bowler.
Unique
Sohail
Sohail is an Arabic boy name meaning “sun” or “star.” It also means “the one who shines brightly.”
Sohail is also spelled as Suhail or Souhail. Interestingly, Sohail is associated with the southern constellation Vela, where Suhail is considered the second brightest star.
Sohail is often used as a surname. Sohail Khan is an Indian actor, while Sohail Khan, Aamer Sohail, Haris Sohail, and Omaima Sohail are cricketers.
Trendy, Cute
Sufian
A pre-Islamic masculine name of Arabic origin, Sufian, means “fast-moving, light, and nimble.” In Persian, Sufian has the meaning “fast-walker” or “thunderstorm.”
Derived from the Arabic word “safa,” meaning “purity,” Sufian is also spelled as Sufyan.
Sufian was the name given to many Sahaba or companions of the prophet. The most renowned is Sufian bin Abi Umayyah (Abu Sufyan), a close companion to the Islamic Prophet Muhammed.
Vintage
Suheil
Suheil is a male baby name derived from the Arabic word “sahula,” meaning “level” or “even.”
The name is spelled as Soheil in Perisian and Suheyl in Turkish. Soleil means “the sun” in French. Thus Suheil is associated with the sun while Sohail means star. Both may be bright choices for a baby boy.
Nicknamed The Tiger, Suheil Salman al-Hassan is a Brigadier General in the Syrian Army.
Trendy
Taher
Taher is an Arabic name given for boys with the meaning “sacred” or “virtuous.” Its Parsi meaning is “purity” and “cleanliness.”
Spelled also as Tahyre or Tahir, it is an indirect Quranic word that also means “free from sin.” This name is an apt choice for parents who want their son to be honorable and pure at heart.
Perhaps a perfect name for your very own little angel in the flesh. Tahar is a French variant of this name.
Unique
Tariq
Tariq is an Arabic word meaning “night visitor, striker, or the brilliant star.”
In the hot climate of Arab countries, travel was planned after sundown, and visitors arrived at night, striking on the door. These night visitors or door strikers are referred to in Arabic as Tariq. Who else is out at night to visit you? The stars, of course! Tariq can also mean “the one who visits you in your dreams”- now that’s a beautiful meaning!
Tariq is popularly used after a military leader, Tariq ibn Ziyad. He captured the Gibraltar peninsula and has the mountain Jabal Tarik (Mount Tarik) named after him.
Cool, Chic
Usama
Usama is an Arabic baby boy name meaning “lion.”
Mostly spelled as Osama, Oussama, or Ausama, the name has a significant reference to the companions or followers of the Prophet Mohammud, such as Osama bin Zaid and Osama al-Hanafi.
Want your baby to be as fearless as a lion or grow into a pious follower of God? Consider naming him Usama. The name is most famously associated with Osama bin Laden whose name is traditionally spelled Usāmah ibn Lādin!
Classic
Waheed
Waheed is a masculine name of Arabic origin and means “the one, unique, or unequaled.”
Waheed, also spelled as Wahid, is a direct Quranic name, appearing nearly 60 times in the Holy Quran, and is considered very religious.
Al-Wahid ranks among the 99 revered names of Allah. If you are a God-fearing person and want your baby to be religiously oriented and unique from others, Waheed could be a perfect choice.
Vintage
Waqas
Waqas in Arabic means “brave warrior” or “soldier.”
This Muslim name is rather an unusual one that’s sure to make your kid stand out from a crowd of Abduls and Salmans. Waqas may be used as a first name or last name. Parents who want their boy to be bold and daring may find this name an interesting choice.
In old Arabic, the name was spelled as Waqqas. Waqas Maqsood and Waqas Akhtar are both Pakistani cricketers.
Unique
Yahya
Yahya is an Arabic male name that means “God is gracious.”
Yahya is said to be a divine Islamic name. It is the Arabic variant of the English name John. In Hebrew, John is Yohanan and refers to John the Baptist (from the Bible). In the Quran, you can find mention of Yahya ibn Zakariya, meaning “son of Zakariya.”
The story goes that the name Yahya was chosen by God himself. Yahya or Yahiya, the Islamic prophet, was a messenger of Allah.
Classic
Yaseen
Yaseen is an Arabic name meaning “chief” and is used for naming both boys and girls.
Quite a popular name, Yaseen ranks among the top 1000 Muslim names. Yasin is also commonly spelled as Yasin, Yassin, or Yaseen.
In Islam, it is considered a spiritually relevant name, as it is an epithet of the prophet Muhammad, derived from the first two letters of the 36th chapter of the Holy Quran (Ya and Sin).
Popular
Yusuf
Yusuf is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, meaning “God increases.”
Yusuf is a Quranic name. The 12th chapter of the Quran is Surah Yusuf. Yusuf is the Arabic version of the Hebrew name Yosef, while the English equivalent of Yusuf is Joseph. He was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, but God raised him above all others in power and influence.
Yusuf may also be spelled as Yusuff, Yusef, or Yousef. Yusuff Ali is the owner of the international LuLu Hypermarket chain.
Vintage
Zaid
Zaid is an Arabian boy name that means “prosper” or “the one who makes progress.”
Zaid is derived from the word Ziyada, which in Arabic means “to increase.” Other spelling variations of Zaid include Zayd or Ziad.
The Quran mentions Zayd making this a coveted name among Muslim parents. Prophet Muhammad’s adopted son was named Zayd.
Popular
Zaki
Zaki is an Arab boy’s name that means “pure” or “without sin.”
Zaki is acquired from the Z-K-A root in the Quran. This short, sweet, two-syllable name is also said to have the meanings “smart” and “witty.” So it’s no wonder that it’s gaining popularity. You can also spell it as Zaky or Zakee and call him Zak for short!
Zaki can also be used as a surname. Zaki Nassif is a Lebanese composer, while Kim Khan Zaki is a Singaporean kickboxer.
Trendy, Cute
Zayn
The Arabic name Zayn means “beauty” or “grace.”
This adorable name is used for both boys and girls. Derived from the Z-Y-N root, Zayn is considered a Quranic name.
Well-known personalities named Zayn include the British singer Zayn Malik, although he is probably more famous for his relationship with international model Gigi Hadid.
Cute, Trendy