DOES IT HAVE TO BE AN ARABIC NAME?

 




Tabarakallah, Mashallah.

Here’s a short du’a we can recite asking Allah (swt) to grant you a blessed child:

رَبَّنَا ھَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّیَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْیُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِینَ إِمَامًا

Rabbana Hablana min azwaajina wadhurriy-yatina, qurrata ‘ayioni wa-jalna lil-muttaqeena Imaama
“Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us a leader [i.e., example] for the righteous.”
– Surah Al-Furqan Ayah 74 –

‘coolness to the eye’ is an old Arabic expression which from a spiritual perspective means to bring joy, peace, or happiness. Thus this is a beautiful supplication we should learn asking Allah (swt) to grant us “coolness of the eyes” among our wives, our children and all future generations.



ON THE SUBJECT OF NAMING YOUR CHILD IN ISLAM:

“A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” – Dale Carnegie

Naming your baby boy’s can seem inconsequential, a decision that can be made in a day, but know it will play a huge impact on his life. It will be a form of communication that he will have to carry with him for the rest of his life. You want it to be a strong name, one that he can love and be proud of. It also tells the world something about him, what religion he belongs to, his identity, culture, ethnicity and can either make him feel included or excluded.

When it comes to naming your child you want a name that the child will not be embarrassed by when being called by Allah (swt) on the day of judgement. The names which Allah Almighty loves most are ‘Abdullah and ‘Abdu’r-Rahman. The most truthful names are Harith and Humam. The ugliest names are Harb and Murra.” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 814) The names most detested is Malikil-Amlak (king of kings) as this name is reserved for Allah alone (Sahih Tirmidhi Hadith 2837)

One important ruling is when naming your Child after one of Allah’s 99 names, you must include the prefix Abdul meaning “servant”. So for example, the name Majid (the glorious one, perfect power) is a name reserved only for Allah. But add the prefix Abdul and the meaning changes to ‘servant of the glorious one’ and it is now permissible.

DOES IT HAVE TO BE AN ARABIC NAME?

It’s is generally better to have an Arabic name but it’s not necessary. Like making a du’a, you can make du’a in any language but a du’a made in Arabic is better for you.

So the name can have a Persian or Urdu background, this is acceptable, as long as the name has a good meaning.

You may also want to consider how the native speakers will pronounce that name. Will they change the meaning by their pronunciation? This is something that has to be considered. We must do our due-diligence by writing the name out and asking friends and colleagues around us to pronounce it.

I am sure you want to give your child the best chance of success in social interactions and an easy life where he is not demonized or bullied based on a misunderstanding or mispronunciation in an English speaking environment.

General advice is to name your child after the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet) as this would encourage the child as they grow older to learn about the historical people that carried the same name. They will feel connected to Islam knowing the amazing role models that lived before him and may feel inclined to follow in their footsteps.

This introduction just scratches the surface of good naming practices. Inshallah you’ll have found the advice useful. Below we’ve researched 228 different Muslim boy names, some are Islamic names from the Qur’an and others are from different backgrounds like Pakistani names, or Persian boy names.



 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH A

NAME

ARABIC

MEANING

 

Adam

آدم

Surface of the earth, ground, or dust

 

Aatif / Atif

عَاطِف

The Kind one, Affectionate

 

Ayyub

أَيُّوْب

To return to God. Also, name of a Prophet of Allah (swt).

 

Azhar

أَظْهَر‎

Shining, Luminous, Brilliant or Clear

 

Anwar

أَنْوَر

Most bright, most brilliant, friend, companion

 

Asad

أَسَد

literally meaning lion

 

Asad Allāh

أَسَدُ ٱلله‎

Lion of Allah

 

Aslam

أَسْلَم

Very safe, safeguarded, one who is protected from calamities

 

Asgar

أَصْغَر

Smallest, minute

 

Anees

أَنِيْس

One who makes acquaintances, friend, genial

 

Akbar

أَكْبَر

The greatest, honourable

 

Athar

اثار

Most pious, meticulously neat, clean, organized

 

Ashfaaq

اشفاق

Kindness, favours

 

Ameen / Amin

أمين

Trustworthy, trustee, honest. Nick name of Prophet Muhammad (saw) as he was known to the Meccans because of his nobility

 

Anjum

أَنْجُم

Stars

 

Awais

أويس

gifted, bestowed, or can mean little wolf. .Uwais / Owais – live during Prophet’s lifetime but never met him
Not Sahabah, classified as Tabiun. Fought in battle alongside Ali (ra) and killed in battle

 

Anas

أنس

Person who brings joy and peace. Also, come from root innas (mankind)
of mind.

 

Amaan

أمان

safety, security, protection.

 

Amanullah

أَمَانُ الله

God’s peace, God’s safety

 

Akhlaq

أَخْلاَق

morality, integrity, disposition, nature, temper, ethics, morals or manners (of a person)

 

Ameer / Amir

أمير

Commander, noble-person, chief,
or leader.

 

Azmat

عَظْمَتْ

Greatness, might, or importance

 

Akram

أکرم‎

benevolent, most gracious

 

Asim

عاصم

shield, protector, guardian, a person who keeps away from sins

 

Arshad

ارشاد

Well-guided person, upright, or most mature.

 

Aahil

عَاهِل

Prince or great king (ruler or emperor)

Aalam

عَالَم

World

Aalim

عَالِم

Religious scholar, knowledgeable

Aamil

اميل

Doer, worker, striver

Aqib / Aaqib

عقيب

Final, Successor, Following, Subsequent. One of the nicknames belonging to Prophet Muhammad (saws)

Aqil / Akeel, Aaqil

عَاقِل

knowledgeable, intelligent, wise, sensible or reasonable.

Aarif

عَارِف

Knowing, aware

Ariz

عَرِض

Active, energetic

Aaryan

اريان

one who belongs to the noble people

Aashif

اشف

Bold, courageous

Aashir

أشير

Wealthy

Aasif / Asif

عاصف

An able minister, strong, stormy,
and fierce

Aaus

اس

Name of a tree

Abaan

أبان

Meaning of name is not understood. An old Arabic name.

Abbas

عَبَّاس

Lion.  It is the name of many companions of Prophet Muhammad.

Adeel

عَدِيْل

Virtuous, one who acts with justice
and fairness. The one who is moderate.

Adnan

عَدْنَان

One who settles for a long
time in a place. Eternal settlement.

Affan

عفّان

chaste, modest, or pure.

Ashaar

أَشْعَر

Fierce like a lion.

Ahsan

أَحْسَن

the most beautiful or handsome

Ali

عليّ

Lofty, sublime, noble, superb. Common name among Muslims out of love for Ali bin Abi Talib. The cousin of Prophet Muhammad (saws).

Ahmed / Ahmad

أحمد

The one deserving most deserving of praise due to their good character. (Same meaning as Muhammad)

Aaron / Harun

هارون

high mountain. It is the name of Prophet Harun (Aaron), brother of Prophet Musa, or Moses.

Arif / Aarif

عَارِف

knowledgeable

Arsalan

ارسلان

Lion, fearless like a lion.

Ayaan

أيان

God’s gift, a gift of god, reward, or blessing.

Azan

أذان

call for worship, announcement

Afeef

عفيف

Virtuous, Chaste, Pious

Affan

عفّان

Avoider of sin, chaste, virtuous, and pure.

Aabid

عَابِد

Worshiper, the one who worships
Allah (swt).

Aadil / Adil

عَادِل

Just, Upright

Aazim / Azim

عَازِم

Determined, of having firm resolve, or resolute.

Aaban

أبان

Meaning not understood, old Arabic name. Also, name of an Angel.

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH B

 

Basil

بَاسِل

brave, fearless, intrepid

Bashir

بَشِيْر

The one who brings good news

Bassam / Basam

بسام

The one who smiles, always smiling.

Badr 

بَدْر

Full moon

Barak / Baraq

بَرَّاق

Radiant, dazzling, or brilliant.

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH D

 

Daniyal / Daniel

دانيال 

God is my judge

Daneesh / Danish

دانش

Knowledge, intelligent, wisdom

Dawoud, Dawud, da’ud

دَاؤُوْد‎

beloved friend

Dayyan

دين

A mighty Ruler

Deen

دين

religion’, “creed”, “credo”, “way of life

Dalil

دَلِيْل

Guide, or mentor

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH E

 

Ehsan / Ihsan

إِحْسَان

Graciousness, compassion, kindness, or generosity

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH F

Fahim

فاهيم

perceptive, keen, clever, or wise

Faisal

فَيْصَل

resolute, judge, decisive ruler

Fahad

فهد

panther, leopard or cheetah

Faizan

فيضان

successful, beneficence, great grace

Farzan

فرزان

Calm, experienced, wise, or sensible.

Fakhr

فَخْر

Glory, honor, pride

Farrukh

فَرّخ

Happy, auspicious

Fawwaz

فَوّاز

person who wins, victor, or victorious

Farhan

فَرحان

Joyous, happy, rejoice, or cheerful.

Faraz

فراز

Ascent, Height

Firuz

فيروز

Triumphant, victor

Fidyan

فدیان

Person who makes sacrifice

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH G

 

Ghazi

غَازِي

Conquerer, warrior, fighter

Ghufran

غُفْران

Forgiving, to pardon

Gulab

گلاب

Rose

Ghulam

ُلَا

Slave or servant

Ghaith

غيث

Rain

Ghalib

غاليب

To overcome, to defeat

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH H

Haris

حَارِث

Ease

Haafiz

حافظ

Guardian, perserver (commit the entire Qur’an to memory to preserve it)

Habeeb

حَبِيب

Beloved, dear friend

Hasan

حسن

Pious, good, fine, beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad (saw)

Abdul-Haseeb

عَبْدُ الحَسِيْب

Servant of the Reckoner

Hussein / Husayn  

حُسَيْن‎ 

Good, handsome, beautiful

Hamzah / Hamza

حمزة

Lion, strong, steadfast. Also the name of beloved uncle of Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Haneef

حَنِيف

Devout believer, monotheist, a person
who believes in the oneness of God.

Hidayat

هدية

guidance, instruction, righteousness

Hammad

حَمَّاد

one who praises

Haris

حَارِث

Cultivator, the one who plows, farmer.

Huzaifah

حُذَيْفَة

Wise, intellectual man, ability to perceive. Also name of one of the Prophet’s (pbuh) companions

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH I

Imran

عمران

The name of the father of Maryam
(may Allah be pleased with her). Name of the 3rd Surah.

Iqbal 

إِقْبَال

good fortune, becoming successful

Imtiaz

امتياز

Different, unique, distinction

Imad

عماد

Pillar of strength, confidence

Idris

إدريس

 studious, smart, or to learn, also the name of the Prophet of Allah (swt)

Ishaq

اسحاق‎ 

Arabic form of Isaac

Isaaq

إسحاق‎ 

honest, trustworthy

Ikhlas

إخلاص

Sincerity, also name of Surah

Isam

عِصام

Connection, promise, safeguard

Ismail

إِسْمَاعِيْل

hearer, heard by God, gift from God

Ibrahim

إبراهيم

Father of nations, name of the Prophet of Allah (swt)

Irfan

عرفان

Wisdom, knowledge

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH J

Jaabir

جابِرٌ

Consoler, comforter, the one who makes things better.

Ja’far

جَعْفَر

River, stream, canel or brook.

Jalaal / Jalal

جلال

Glory of faith

Jaleel

جليل

Great, revered

Jamaal / Jamal

جَمَال

Beauty

Junaid

جُنَيْد

Soldier, Warrior, a small army

Jawad 

جواد

Bountiful, generous, liberal, magnanimous

Javed

جفيد

Eternal, perpetual

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH K

Khalid

خَلِيد

Permanent, durable, one who does not grow weak

Khateeb

خَطِيب

Orator, speaker, one who gives a speech.

Kamal

كمال‌‎

perfection, excellence, completeness

Kashif

كاشيف

discoverer, revealer, uncoverer

Kamran

كامران

Without problems, happy, blessed

Kawthar

كوثر

name of a river in paradise, also name of Surah in Qur’an

Khabib

حبيب

beloved, loved one

Khurshid 

خورشيد

The sun

Kahil

خليل

Good friend

Kamil

كاميل

Perfect, the perfect one, complete

Khayr / Khair

خَيْرٌ

Excellent, best, opposite of bad.

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH L

 

Luqman

لُقْمَان

Wise man, a person named in Surah Luqman.

Lut

وط

Name of the Prophet of Allah (swt)

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH M

Muhammad

محمّد

A person who’s character is praiseworthy, commendable, laudable.
Also the name of the last Prophet of Allah (swt).

Muhsin

مُحْسِن

Helper, humanitarian, doer of good deeds.

Muneeb

مُنِيْبٌ

One who returns to Allah and repents, return to God’s way.

Mustafa

مُصْطَفَى

Chosen, selected, preferred. Also one of the title’s of prophet Muhammad (saw).

Minhaaj

مِنْهَاج

road, the way, curriculum

Muhibb

مهيب

Lover

Mahboob

مَحْبُوب

Beloved, adored, cute.

Mahmood

محمود

elegant, praiseworthy, attribute of prophet muhammad (saws)

Mukhtaar

مُخْتَار

selected, chosen, exquisite. One who is chosen by Allah.

Murshad

مُرْشَد

Guided on the right path.

Mazhar

مَظْهَر

appearance, demeanor, sight, view

Muzzamil

مُزَّمِّل

one who is enwrapped

Moazzam / Moezzam

معظم

Respectable

Muslih

مُصْلِح

Reformer, good doer, improver

Muttalib

مُطَّلِب

Seeker, demander. Grandfather of Prophet Muhammad (saws)

Misbaah

مصباح

Lamp, latern, oil light

Miftaah

مِفْتَاح

Key, the one who guides others to the right path

Maqbool

مَقْبُول

Accepted or approved.

Moosa

مُوْسَى

No absolute definition. Assumed meaning, “the water” or
“saved by the water”.

Mumin

مُؤْمِن

Believer

Muzaffar 

مُظَفَّر

Victorious, triumphant, victor

Marwan

مَرْوَان

Solid Stone. Very strong lion or a leader.

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH N

 

Nasir

ناصر

Helper, aide, defender

Nabeel

نَبِيْل

Noble, brave, distinguished, high-born

Najam

ناجام

Morning star, star.

Naseem

نَسِيْم

a cool or gentle breeze, fragrant air

Naseer

نصير.

A helper, a friend, someone who helps people become successful or victorious

Na’eem

نَعِيم

pleasure, bounty, bliss, comfort

Abdul-Nur

نُورٌ

Divine light, prime light, the light that guides. One of Allah’s 99 attributes.

Nuh

نُوْح

name of Prophet of Allah (swt)

Nu’man / Nouman

نُعْمَان

Blood or red. Name of sahaba and also name of Abu Hanafi

Nadeem

نديم

companion, friend, confidant

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH O

 

Owais

أُوَيْس

little wolf. Also name of companion of Prophet Muhammad (saw)

Osama

أسامة

Lion

Omar / Umair / Omair

عُمر

Flourishing, long-lived

Obaid / Ubaid

عُبَيْد

Servant, or small slave

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH Q

 

Qasim 

قَاسِم

Distributor, giver, the one who is generous. The name of Prophet Muhammad (saw) son.

Qamar

قَمَر

The moon

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH R

 

Rashid

راشد

Well-guided, follower of the right path, mature.

Rashad

رَشَاد

To acquire the right-guidance,  lead a righteous life.

Rafee

رافي

High-ranking, noble, exaulter, sublime

Rafeeq / Rafik / Rafiq

رفيق

A kind hearted person, good mannered, a friend.

Rayhan

ريحان

A sweet smelling plant, good scent, fragrance

Rayan

ريَّان

The gate of heaven which allows fasting people in Ramadan to enter

Ridwan

رضوان

contentment

Rizwan

رضوان

the angel in charge of maintaining Jannah or Paradise in Islam.

Rohan

روحان

spiritual, kind-hearted, compassionate

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH S

Saajid

ساجد‎

The one who prostrate

Sajjad

سجاد

Kneeling in prayer, prostration

Saleem / Salim

سَليم

unblemished, safe, intact, undamaged, or complete.

Siraaj

سِرَاج

Lamp, light, production of light.

Sad

سعد

Prosperity, fortunate, blessedness.

Sa’eed / Said

سَعيد

Happy, auspicious, successful

Suhail

سُهَيْل

Without trouble, lenient, easy to interact with.

Saif

سَيْف

sword

Shafi

شَافِي

Mediator, curer, or helper.

Shakil / Shakeel / Shaquille

شاكيل

Handsome, good-looking, well-shaped

Shuaib / Suhayb / shoaib 

صُهَيْب

Who shows the right path. Name of the prophet of Allah (swt).

Shahab 

شَهَاب

shooting star, flame, brightness of flame, meteor

Shaheed

شهيد

Witness, one who gives evidence based on truth

Sadiq / Sadik

صَادِق

honesty, true-hearted, sincere, truth or loyalty

Sabur / Saboor

صَبُور

Patient, tolerant, forbearing

Sultan 

سُلْطَان

Ruler, emperor, authority

Shahzad

شهزاد

Son of the king

Salman

سلمان‎

healthy, safe, pure from any illness

Sayyid / Syed

سادة 

Usually an honorific title denoting accepted descendents of Prophet Muhammad (saws) and his Ali (ra) 

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH T

 

Tanweer

تنوير

To illuminate, radiant, appearance of light in the morning

Tawfeeq

تَوْفِيْق

Granted a favourable situation by Allah (swt), prosperity, success.

Tameez / Tamiz

تاميز

discernment, sense, distinction

Taqi

تَقِيّ

One who fears Allah, God-conscious, God-fearing

Tayyib

طَيِّب

good, sweet, agreeable, pure, chaste

Taha

طه

Meaning of the name is unknown. It is the 20th Surah of the Qur’an titled Ta-Ha.

Tahir / Taahir

طاهر

pure, virtuous, free from sin. Also name of one of the sahaba.

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH W

 

waleed

وَلِيد

Baby, infant, new-born. Also name of sahaba.

Waseem

وسيم

Graceful, good Looking, handsome

Wazir, Wazeer

وَزير

an adviser to the counsel to the king, minister, helper

Waqaar / Waqar

وَقَار

Dignity, constancy, self-respect

Abdul-Wahab

عَبْدُ الوَهَّاب

Servant of the bestower. All names of Allah must begin with Abdul meaning servant.

Waqqas / Waqas

وَقَّاص

Soldier, warrior, combatant, breaker.

Walid / Waleed

وَلِيد

Newborn, child, baby

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH Y

 

Yasir

ياسر

To become easy.

Yaseen / Yasin

يٰسٓ‎

No official meaning, two arabic letters Yaa and Seen. Name of the 36th Surah of the Qur’an

Yaqeen

يَقِيْن

Belief, certainty, lack of doubt.

Yusuf

يُوْسُف

God increases, or god gives. Also name of the Prophet of Allah (swt).

Yunus

يونس

dove, pigeon, also name of the Prophet of Allah (swt)

Yaqub / Yaqoub

يَعْقُوْب

successor, heir, following. Also name of the Prophet of Allah (swt)

MUSLIM BOY NAMES STARTING WITH Z

 

Zaakir

ذاكر

One who constantly praises and remembers Allah (swt)

Zakaa

ذَكاء

Sharpness of mind, cleverness

Zakee / Zaki

زكيّ

Righteousness, purification, sinless

Zul-kifl

ذُوْ الكِفْل

Name of one of the Prophets of Allah (swt)

Zubair

زُبَيْر

A brave and wise person

Zaid / Zayd

زيد

Abundance, excess, growth. Name of Prophet Muhammad’s adopted son.

Zain / Zayn

زَيْن

Adornment, beauty, grace, honour, excellence

 

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