Arabic Names

Also spelled as Shuayb, this was the name of an Islamic prophet, sent to guide the people of Midian, a region in West Asia. The name is said to mean "who shows the right path", though other  interpretations include that it means "separated, split" or "tribe, race".



Shuaib

Also written as Zakariyya, this is the Arabic transliteration of the Hebrew Zechariah. A name that works easily across multiple languages, both spellings of the name are currently in the England and Wales Top 700. 
 
Meaning "the Lord has remembered", Zakariyah holds significance within Islamic tradition. In the Quran, Zakariyah is a priest and a prophet, who, on reaching old age, began to pray for a son to continue his legacy and his role as a messenger of faith; his prayers are answered and he has a son, Yahya (John the Baptist).

Zakariyah

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 boys were called Zero is a recent year, perhaps appealing because of the children's rhyme: "zero the hero, first the worst, second the best..."

Zero

Name of a great Indian Mogul king, a Matt Groening cartoon character, and many Indian restaurants. 

Akbar

Derived from the Arabic word for the spotted big cat, Namira is a gentle name with a powerful, nature connected meaning. 

Namira

Rida is a name indirectly mentioned in the Quran.  While it can be used for both girls and boys, in English-speaking countries its similarity to the more common Rita makes it more appropriate for girls.

Rida

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.

Salima

Tahira is a pretty Arabic virtue name, unusual yet accessible. 

Tahira

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 Beerbohm's satirical 1910 novel, Zuleika Dobson, a heroine so gorgeous that the entire student body of Oxford University committed collective suicide at the sight of her.
 Though not used directly in the Bible, according to medieval legend, Zuleika was the beautiful and passionate wife of Potiphar, a dignitary in the court of the Egyptian Pharoah to whom Joseph was sold; Zuleika and Potiphar were the parents of Ephraim. She was celebrated in several notable poems.
 Zuleika comes with a variety of spellings: model Iman named her daughter Zulekha, there was a Miss Universe named Zuleyka Rivera, Zuleikha is the British actress who played Ilana on Lost, while Charles Bronson stuck with the original Zuleika for his daughter, who became a successful model.

Zuleika

A short, succinct name with a sound as cheerful as its meaning, Hani is an Arabic name that is particularly popular across Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, and Palestine. Also used as a feminine name in Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, it is sometimes considered a Hawaiian unisex name, meaning "to move lightly", or occasionally a variation of Johann or Johannes. 

Hani

Marya

Pretty and feminine Muslim name popular in Egypt. 

Nabila

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 roots where it can mean 'queen' or 'princess.' Ranya has gained popularity in the Middle East, North Africa, and increasingly in Western countries as cross-cultural naming has become more common. The name offers a blend of exotic appeal with relatively straightforward pronunciation for English speakers. Ranya projects elegance, strength, and femininity, making it appealing to parents seeking a name with international flair and positive meanings across cultures. Its royal connotations in some interpretations add a sense of dignity and grace.

Ranya

The name of an Islamic prophet, sent to guide the people of Midian, a region in West Asia, Shuayb is sometimes connected to the Biblical figure of Jethro. He was called to lead the Midianites aware from false gods and to guide them away from dishonesty and cheating one another. 
 
The name is said to mean "who shows the right path", though other interpretations include that it means "separated, split" or "tribe, race". It may additionally be spelled as Shuaib.

Shuayb

This striking name has a lot going for it: it's a self-confident Spanish surname, it identifies one of the most brilliant stars in the sky, and it has a musical reference to singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega. 

Vega

A name that works well in multiple languages, Zakariyya is the Arabic transliteration of Zechariah, Zacharias, and Zachary. The name has been consistently appearing in the England and Wales Top 1000 since 2010 and a recent count saw it rank at #602, while alternative spelling Zakariyah came in at #638.
 
Meaning "the Lord has remembered", Zakariyya holds significance in Islamic tradition. In the Quran, Zakariyah is a priest and a prophet, who prays for a son to continue his legacy and his role as a messenger of faith. His prayers are answered and he has a son, Yahya (John the Baptist).

Zakariyya

Intriguing David alternative, though American tongues will have trouble wrapping themselves around three vowels in a row. 

Daoud

Near Eastern name with lots of opportunities for variation and improvisation. 

Gamal

A beautiful name with a meaning befitting a treasured baby, Nadira is a feminine form of Nadir. Also spelled as Nadirah and appearing as Nadire in Albanian and Turkish, it means "precious, rare", though is sometimes listed as meaning "treasured" and "unique" too. 
 
Similar in sound or appearance to other international choices like Mira and Nadia, Nadira could work in multiple languages. 
 
It has been notably borne by actresses Nadira Babbar and Nadira (Florence Ezekiel) and by singer and TV host Nina Nadira. There are characters called Nadira in the novel Skybreaker by Kenneth Oppel, and in the Islamic legends of Hatra, in which Al-Nadirah is a princess who falls in love with the king besieging her city.

Nadira

Ruya is a beautiful Arabic name with a lovely meaning, associated with dreams, ambitions, and receiving a vision. Also spelled as Roya and Rouyaa, it has an approachable and appealing sound. 

Ruya

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 15)

325+ Arabic Names (with Meanings and Popularity)