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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 |
|
|
Anas |
أنس |
Person who brings
joy and peace. Also, come from root innas (mankind) |
|
|
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, |
|
|
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, |
|
|
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 |
|
|
Adnan |
عَدْنَان |
One who settles
for a long |
|
|
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 |
|
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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. |
|
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 |
|
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 |
