325+ Arabic Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Nyla
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "winner, one who achieves"
    • Description:

      This name of an ancient Egyptian princess could make a fitting choice for a bicoastal child.
  2. Inaya
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "care, concern"
    • Description:

      Inaya is a soft and expressive Arabic name, also spelled Anaya. Inaya is a Top 100 girls' name in several European countries, including France, Netherlands, and Belgium. Inaya entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, joining sister name Anaya on her upwards climb.
  3. Alya
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "heavens, highborn, exalted"
    • Description:

      Alya is most familiar in the US in its much-more-complicated form Aaliyah, the spelling used by the later singer. The traditional name of the star system Theta Serpentis, Alya is also an established Muslim first name and a Turkish place-name. It may also be a Russian short form for Alexandra or any other Al- name.
  4. Zariah
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Hebrew, Russian
    • Meaning:

      "flower, God has helped, dawn"
    • Description:

      Zariah has three possible origins: the Arabic Zahrah which means ‘flower’, the Hebrew name Azariah, meaning ‘God has helped’, or the Russian word Zaria which means ‘sunrise/dawn’. Either way, it's a strong and striking name with a range of lovely meanings.
  5. Rayan
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "land that is lush and rich in water"
    • Description:

      Popular Arabic name for boys and sometimes girls too, that's also a term of authority in India.
  6. Noor
    • Origin:

      Arabic; Dutch variation of Eleonora
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      An interesting name associated with the elegant American-born Queen Noor of Jordan. Noor is very popular among modern Muslim parents around the world and is beginning to cross over, perhaps because of its simplicity and its resemblance to the stylish Western Nora. It appeared in the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
  7. Maja
    • Origin:

      German, Slovene, and Scandinavian form of Maya; also, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "splendid"
    • Description:

      Whether you pronounce it my-a, ma-zha or ma-ha, Maja is an intriguing choice. Sometimes associated with Goya's famous painting "The Naked Maja." As a cognate of Maya, it's a Top 10 name in Slovenia and Sweden and is also popular in Germany and Norway.
  8. Aida
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "happy"
    • Description:

      Aida is a melodic name largely associated with the title character of the 1871 Verdi opera, an enslaved Ethiopian princess who dies to save her people. In the past, her name was rarely heard outside the Latino community, but in the current time of love for all A-starting girls' names, this could very well change.
  9. Mariam
    • Origin:

      Arabic variation of Mary
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Popular among parents with Arab roots. Also found as Maryam.
  10. Laila
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Layla (Arabic); Sami variation of Helga (Finland)
    • Meaning:

      "night; holy"
    • Description:

      Beguiling and lovely, Laila is one of the lilting variations of Leila and Layla. It's the name of the former-boxer daughter of Muhammad Ali and of actor Shawn Wayans. In Finland, the Sami people use this in place of the Scandinavian name Helga.
  11. Ara
    • Origin:

      Armenian
    • Meaning:

      "king"
    • Description:

      Simple and yet distinctive, Ara is a mythological name of a famously handsome king. Although it originated as a boys' name, in the contemporary US, it's now much more commonly used for girls.
  12. Amir
    • Origin:

      Arabic or Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "prince, ruler; treetop"
    • Description:

      A common Middle Eastern name, the general title for an elevated official. Amir has rising in use since the late 70s, and is now in the Top 200. The feminine variation Amira is also on the rise. Amir is in the Top 100 in France, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Belgium. The widespread popularity of the name Amir around the world has led to a large number of notable Amirs in history and present. The name Amir was chosen for his son by actor Omar Epps. Amir is also the name of the young narrator and protagonist in the award-winning novel Kite Runner.
  13. Aisha
    • Origin:

      Arabic; Swahili
    • Meaning:

      "living, prosperous"
    • Description:

      Aisha was Muhammad's favorite wife, making this lovely name and its myriad variations hugely popular among Muslims and also African-Americans. It's been energized by TV personality Aisha Tyler. Pronunciation is usually eye-EE-sha but some say ay-sha.
  14. Farrah
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "happiness"
    • Description:

      For a few seconds there in the late '70s, Farrah Fawcett's name was as frequently copied as her hairstyle; the name was Number 177 in 1977. Now, after many years off the charts and out of style, it's back, mostly thanks to a TV Teen Mom who bears the name.
  15. Amina
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "trustworthy, faithful"
    • Description:

      The name of the mother of the prophet Muhammad is well used among Muslims everywhere.
  16. Adara
    • Origin:

      Arabic; Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "virgin; or noble, exalted"
    • Description:

      Perfect name for a Virgo or an Aries baby. It is also the name of a character in the fantasy Belgariad series.
  17. Hamza
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "lion or strong"
    • Description:

      Hamza was the legendary uncle of the Prophet Muhammad, hero of The Hamzanama, the Story of Hamza.
  18. Ali
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "supreme, exalted"
    • Description:

      This is one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah, deemed by Muhammad to be a recommended name for a male child. In this country, it's been primarily associated with boxing immortal Muhammad Ali, known as "the greatest." But Ali is also one of the most popular unisex names for both boys and girls.
  19. Sahar
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Persian
    • Meaning:

      "dawn, morning, awakening"
    • Description:

      This is a soft and strong Arabic and Persian name commonly heard in the Middle East.
  20. Samir
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "a friend to talk with in the evening"
    • Description:

      Samir has a pleasing sound and lovely meaning. One of those distinctive names that can also fit right in—and you could always call him Sam.