Arabic Names

An Arabic name that can be interpreted as meaning "gift", though ultimately it derives from hada meaning "to guide, to lead". As such, it may be considered a feminine variation of Hadi, a name with significance in Islamic tradition, al-Hadi being one of the 99 names of Allah. The name appeared in the England and Wales Top 1000 in a recent year, while alternative forms could be Hadiya, Hadiyya, and Hadya, along with the Kazakh Ädiya, the Persian Hedieh and Turkish Hediye.

Hadia

Used both as a given name and as a surname, Bashir is a familiar but still unusual choice in the USA and UK, even among Muslim families. In 2014, only 25 boys were named Bashir in the US. One reason for its low usage could be a connection to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for war crimes, including genocide, in Darfur.

Bashir

Kadeem is a name made familiar by TV actor Kadeem Hardison, a fresher alternative to the better known Kareem. 

Kadeem

A feminine form of Sadi, this Arabic name has the bright and hopeful meaning of "lucky, fortunate". Reflecting a parent's wishes for a child's future, or their feelings towards having a baby, Sadia is familiar in France and the UK and a popular choice in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Afghanistan, 
 
Notably borne by model and actress Sadia Khan and rugby player Sadia Kabeya, the name may also appear as Saadia or Sa'dia, while a Somali form is Sacdiyo.

Sadia

Siraj

Concise Nada is a cross-cultural choice with pleasant meanings. In Arabic, it is derived from nadan meaning "dew, moisture", though other possible translations include "caller" and "goodness". As a Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian name, it means "hope".
 
A lovely option, but a word of warning: it is also the Spanish and Portuguese word for "nothing", which might or might not put you off.

Nada

A relatively popular Arabic name that featured in the French Top 500 for much of the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st. It is also used as a given name in Turkey, Iran and Israel, as well as being a relatively common surname (also spelled Nader). Notable bearers include an 18th century Shah of Iran, a 19th century King of Afghanistan and a former Prime Minister of Jordan. 

 In astrology, the nadir is the lowest point of the sun's trajectory in the sky. In English, this meaning has been transferred figuratively to mean "the lowest point" or sometimes "rock bottom".

Nadir

Nawab is a royal title used in South Asian states, indicating a leader whose position might be compared to that of a prince. Derived from the Arabic naib meaning "deputy, leader", it is also used to describe Muslim noblemen, and, more historically, by the English to describe native Indian rulers during the Mughal Empire. 
 Today, it might be said to fit in with the trend for exalted and regal names like King, Messiah, and Sir, though it has had longer usage among South Asian communities.
 
In 2024, Nawab debuted in the England and Wales Top 1000.

Nawab

Another astral name, this one relating to one of the largest and brightest stars in the heavens, is popular in Scandinavia and Spain, where it ranks among the Top 50 <a href="https://nameberry.com/girls-names">girls' names</a>. Although still very rare in the US, we think it has serious potential to follow the likes of Luna and Lyra up the charts.

 In Spanish, the name means "meadow" and is taken from a title for the Virgin Mary (La Virgen de la Vega, The Virgin of the Meadow).

Vega

Safiyah is a feminine name of Arabic origin meaning 'pure' or 'chosen friend.' This beautiful name appears in Islamic history as the name of one of Prophet Muhammad's wives, giving it significant religious and historical importance in Muslim communities. The name has variations including Safiya, Saffia, and Safiyyah, with slight differences in pronunciation across different cultures. Growing in popularity in diverse communities worldwide, Safiyah represents purity, wisdom, and moral clarity. The name has seen increased usage in Western countries in recent decades, appreciated for its melodious sound and meaningful etymology. Parents are drawn to Safiyah for its blend of historical significance, spiritual depth, and contemporary appeal.

Safiyah

This lovely Arabic name is gaining popularity in the US, used equally for boys and girls. Indeed, its sound (it rhymes with the feminine Tamar but ends with the fashionably masculine -ar sound, as in Oscar) and most logical nickname (Sam) make it a choice that's at once accessible and unsual for both boys and girls.


Samar

Popular girls' name in Syria. In Yiddish, pronounced ZAE-dah, this is a term for grandfather. 

Zada

This common Arabic name is related to Aaron, but feels far more distinctive in the US. Haroun Khalifa is the protagonist of Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories.

Haroun

Jumana

Spelled Najee, this was chosen by rapper LL Cool J for his son several years ago. 

Naji

A name used in the Middle East but that could easily work in the US. As a girls' name, Nuri can also be a short form of Nuria. It was chosen by Christy Lefteri for the protagonist of her novel, The Beekeeper of Aleppo which may have familiarized people with the name.

Nuri

The capital of Saudi Arabia makes a difficult first name. 

Riyad

Popular in Turkey (where it is written as Asil, with the dotted i) but used in Pakistan, Egypt, Israel, India, and beyond, Asil is a unisex Arabic name with a number of different meanings, depending on the etymological root you follow or which source you check. The meaning "noble, aristocratic, royal" is popular for boys, though it may additionally mean "original, purebred, deep-rooted", "evening, night", or "flow, run, stretch".
 
Appearing in the Quran, giving it extra significance for Muslim families, Aseel is used as an alternative spelling.

Asil

A name whose sweet sound matches with its meaning, Habiba is popular in Somalia and North Africa. It comes from the Arabic habib meaning "dear, beloved", making it a bright and endearing choice.

Habiba

A pleasant, welcoming Middle Eastern choice. 

Hadiya

Arabic names have become much more widely known and used around the world over the past few decades. 

The Arabic name Muhammad has risen to become reportedly the 

 in the entire world when all its spellings are counted together. Muhammad is Number 1 in England as well as throughout the Arab world and also ranks among the Top 100 boys’ names in Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Australia.

Arabic baby names widely used over the decades

 include Omar and Xavier, Leila (in all its variations) and Zara. Celebrities have helped popularize such Arabic names as Zayn, Aaliyah, Farrah, and Iman.

 in the Top 500 in the US include Amir, Malik, Nasir, Omar, and Xavier. 

 in the US Top 500 include Aaliyah, Amina, Layla, Fatima, and Zara. 

 include Maryam, Noor, Ahmed, and Ali. Muslim parents of every nationality often choose Arabic baby names, so other choices such as Zayn and Zara, Samar and Rashid, Jana and Yousouf are widely used around the world.

Here is our complete list of Arabic names,  ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

Arabic names are common in the Muslim community, and include stylish choices such as Layla, Amir, Zara, and Zayn, with meanings and popularity (Page 13)

325+ Arabic Names (with Meanings and Popularity)