By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
Arabic place-name
"gardens"
The capital of Saudi Arabia makes a difficult first name.
Arabic
"guide to righteousness"
A pleasant, welcoming Middle Eastern choice.
Hebrew, diminutive of Samantha, or Arabic
"praised"
Sami is cute if overused in its more familiar Sammy form.
"powerful"
Aza's similarity to the biblical name Asa makes it ripe for adaptation. If you want something more elaborate, you might consider Azariah. Something simpler? It doesn't get much simpler and that is…
"capable, powerful"
Qadir is a classic Muslim name that represents one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah. Since the initial Q is pronounced as K, this handsome name is sometimes Anglicized as Kadir.
"panther, leopard"
Roar! This popular name in the Arab world was once almost unused by English speakers, but is now given to a few boys in the States each year. It can also be spelled Fahad and Fahed.
Arabic; Hebrew
"color of earth; dust"
Earthier version of the name of England's first female professional writer, Aphra Behn.
"gentle and patient"
The name of the Prophet Muhammad's childhood nurse carries special resonance for Muslim parents.
"falcon"
The eleventh brightest star in the sky has a celestial feel, but also could be the name of a commercial airline.
Breton, French, Hebrew, “chieftain; grace and favor of God"
Typically spelled as Amaël, this name can be a variation of the popular Breton name, Maël, which ranks in the Top 10 in France. Amaël itself entered the French Top 500 in 2021, and ranked at #337 in…
"true believer"
Could serve as an alternative to the more common Latifah.
Aza is an excellent Arabic choice: elegant and simple. Too simple for you? Consider Aziza.
English and Italian from Arabic and Sanskrit
"void"
Zero has been documented as a given name before, but it's largely familiar as a stage name (such as Zero Mostel, born Samuel Joel Mostel) and comic book and anime characters. Nevertheless, fourteen…
Name of a great Indian Mogul king, a Matt Groening cartoon character, and many Indian restaurants.
"safe"
Very popular throughout the Arab world and growing in use in the US as well, where it was given last year to more than 50 baby girls.
"pure and chaste"
Tahira is a pretty Arabic virtue name, unusual yet accessible.
"fair, brilliant beauty"
Zuleika is a high-wire act of a name that might appeal to the intrepid baby namer, Like most 'Z'-starting girls' names, it projects a cool, strong aura, as exemplified by the character in Max…
"purity, bright whiteness"
The final a adds a lot of style.
"honorable, noble"
Pretty and feminine Muslim name popular in Egypt.
Ranya is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Arabic, it means 'delightful to look at' or 'she who looks good,' suggesting beauty and pleasing appearance. The name also has Sanskrit…
