Arabic Names

Akila, which can also be spelled Akilah, is a sleek, modern-feeling name with a strong meaning. Some sources say the name Akila may also be Egyptian or Swahili. 
 
There's a name Aquila in the New Testament that sounds the same, Spelled Aquila, it's also the name of an eagle-shaped constellation and is said by some sources to mean eagle.

Akila

A gentle and warm sounding choice, with an uplifting meaning, Amela is the Bosnian form of the popular Arabic name, Amal. It was a Top 100 choice in Bosnia and Herzegovina until 2015 and is occasionally used as a short of of Amelia in Scandinavia. 

Amela

Notably borne by Palestinian journalist, activist, and filmmaker Bisan Owda, Bisan is a name of Arabic origin, with a concise look and bright sound. The exact meaning of the name is unknown, however some sources suggest it derives from the root basama meaning "to smile", while others indicate that it comes from basar meaning "vision, sight".
 Alternatively, and perhaps more likely, Bisan is a Palestinian place name, and may be used to honor its memory. This would explain why Bisan is used predominantly in Palestine.
 
Bisan was also given to eight babies in the US and four in the UK in a recent year.

Bisan

A unisex Arabic name, Firdaus comes from the Arabic firdaws meaning "paradise, heavenly, garden", in turn making it a spiritual choice, closely connected to the Islamic concept of
Jannah, the final resting place or abode of the righteous and good.
 
Predominantly used as a masculine name in Malaysia and Indonesia, it leans neutral or feminine elsewhere, notably in India, Egypt, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Alternative forms of the name include the Urdu Firdous and Firdos, the Somali Fardowsa, and the Bengali Ferdousi and Ferdous.
 
The 10th century Persian poet, writer of the epic, the Shahnameh was could Firdaus (or Ferdowsi).

Firdaus

A well-established Arabic name with a cool, contemporary sound, Khair derives from kayr, a word associated with goodness, generosity, wealth, and welfare. Also appearing as Khayr, Khayri, and Khairi, Khair is one of the possible sources for on-trend Kyaire, while feminine form Khairiah was the inspiration behind Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik's daughter's name, Khai.

Khair

Lamia is a name with two very different images: from its Arabic roots, it is a bright yet gentle choice with a glowing meaning. As a Greek name however, Lamia appears in mythology as a child-eating monster, who was driven to madness after Zeus's wife Hera took her children away. This latter figure is the inspiration behind the Keats poem of the same name.
 
While the mythological Greek form would be pronounced as LAY-mee-uh, the Arabic name is pronounced as LA-mee-a, which does help distinguish the two.

Lamia

Friendly option: has also been defined as "drinking companion". 

Nadim

The name of a lute-like string instrument, Rabab is predominantly used as a feminine name, however, it is occasionally given to boys too. It made its debut in the England and Wales Top 1000 in 2025 when it was given to 34 girls. For  boys, it sat at #1406, given to 19 babies. 



Rabab

Sari is a cute spin on Sarah, though some may hear it as "sorry," and it is also an item of clothing worn in India. These days many people will also confuse Sari with Suri, the lovely and unsual name of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' much-publicized young daughter.

Sari

The mononymous Colombian-born singer inspired a popularity blip in the 90s and early 00s. 

Shakira

Zafira

We can't pretend that this name is not indelibly linked to the Disney's eponymous character, at least in the USA; but it's not a negative connotation and may appeal to you. Bosnian variation Aldin may be more wearable in the US, though.

Aladdin

One of the most appealing Muslim names, both in sound and meaning. 

Jinan

A handsome Arabic choice with spiritual significance —al-Ḥafīẓ being one of the 99 names of Allah — Hafiz is both a given name meaning "preserver, protector, guardian" and a term used for Muslims who have memorized the Quran in its entirety. 
 
Also spelled as Hafeez and Hafez, it has been borne by the 14th century mystic and poet Hafiz Shirazi and the Malaysian singer Hafiz Suip. While this transcription is predominantly used as a masculine name, it is sometimes given to girls too, notably in Afghanistan.

Hafiz

British filmmaker Hanif Kureishi brought this name to the Western world. 

Hanif

Also spelled Lujain and Lujayn, this bright name of Arabic origin has an appealing meaning and sounds that work across multiple cultures and languages. 

Loujain

Nashira is one of those obscure space names that might rise along with such heavenly choices as Orion, Luna, and even Nevaeh.  A giant star in Capricorn, Nashira is an unusual and attractive name with several positive associations.

Nashira

A traditional Arabic choice, used on girls and boys, with a bright, fresh, and nature connected meaning. Naseem is an alternative Arabic and Urdu form, while Nesim is used in Turkey. Though unisex, Nasim leans masculine in Lebanon,  Indonesia, Iran, England, Palestine, and Iraq, but is more evenly split in India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. TikTok star and rapper Nasim Nabi is a notable bearer. 

Nasim

The <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/128/boy-baby-names-that-mean-wise">meaning of intelligent</a> elevates this A-starting name for girls above other similar possibilities.

Akilah

A name with several possible origins, Ammarah can be read as an alternative spelling to the Igbo Amara, giving it the pretty meaning of "grace". However, it is also an Arabic name, meaning "woman who is steadfast, faithful, and/or punctual to Allah" or "one who lives long, one who builds".
 
 Other source also list Ammarah as a Thai and Sanskrit name, meaning "immortal" or "undying", which ties in, slightly to its second Arabic meaning. 
 
Ammarah recently appeared in the UK Top 1000 for the first time.

Ammarah

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 17)

325+ Arabic Names (with Meanings and Popularity)