By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
Arabic
"immortal, everlasting"
Khalid has flirted with the Top 1000 for several decades now, climbing back on in 2015 after more than a decade's absence. Its return could be in part because of the popularity of snapchat…
African place-name, variant of Zahra, Arabic
"rose; to shine, to bloom"
Zaria, the name of the Nigerian capital city, could be another Z name for parents to consider. It currently ranks lower than variations Zariah and Zariyah. Popular 1990s sitcom The Parent 'Hood…
Persian
"jasmine flower"
This name, whose sweet and fragrant floral essence has always been widespread across the Near Eastern world, has now landed on US popularity lists in a variety of spellings. It's been dropping…
Arabic, "high, exalted"
"high, exalted"
Simple and melodic, this spelling offers an alternative to the more-popular Aliyah or Aaliyah -- the name of the late R&B singer who propelled the name into the US Top 100.
Serbo-Croatian
"dawn"
Zora is a meaningful literary heroine name honoring Zora Neale Hurston, an important black writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance. Spelled Zorah, it is a biblical place name, and is also the…
Spelling variation of Amir
Spelling variant Ameer is much less popular than the original. An Amir is a ruler in the Arab world.
"premature child"
The Prophet Muhammad's first wife and the first convert to Islam, and a very popular name in the Muslim community. It ranks in the Top 200 girls' names in France, Italy and England & Wales (alongside…
Arabic, Hebrew
"maidens; noble, exalted"
A charming multicultural choice with a daring yet grounded sound, Adara is a both a Hebrew name with a noble meaning, and an Arabic name with ties to astronomy. Popular in Puerto Rico and Spain, it…
"pure, serenity, clarity"
An English, Persian, and Turkish transcription of Arabic Safaa or Safaa', Safa is a a serene but strong choice and has proved popular among Muslim parents in the UK. Spritually significant, As-Safaa…
Spanish variation of Jamila, Arabic
"beautiful"
Popular in Mexico and familiar in the US, Yamileth is an elaborate and fresh form of Yamila, ultimately derived from the Arabic Jamil. Meaning "beautiful", it shares sounds with other familiar and…
Spelling variation of Xavier
This phonetic version is occasionally used and removes any confusion about whether the X is fully pronounced or not.
Arabic variation of Ishmael, Hebrew
"God will hear"
This classic, handsome Arabic name — cognate of the Hebrew Ishmael — was chosen by Tan and Rob France for their son born in 2021. Ismail is the preferred spelling in England, Germany, Malaysia,…
Arabic, Sanskrit, Azerbaijani, Hebrew
"merchant; woods, grove; variant of Canaa; low, humble"
Kanan is multicultural name with a number of different origins, making it a versatile choice that travels well. A Top 50 choice in Azerbaijan, Kanan also made a brief appearance in the US Top 1000 in…
Diminutive of Samuel, and Arabic
"exalted"
Soundalike cousin of Sammy, cute but slight on its own.
"baby bustard"
Its most famous bearer was Prince Osman the First, founder of the Ottoman Empire, the third caliph of the Muslims, and a companion and son-in-law of Muhammad. Osman is sometimes written as Usman. And…
"wealthy, prosperous"
In this country, very much tied to PLO leader Arafat.
"flourishing, thriving"
A possible alternative to the more popular (and attractive) Omar.
Arabic variation of Jasmine
Any of the Y forms, which also include Yasmeen, Yasmin, and Yasmina, make this name more unusual and distinctive.
"beauty"
Jamal is an Arabic boys’ name meaning "beauty." Jamal and its variants are popular in the Muslim community, although Jamal’s popularity within the US has decreased in recent years. Jamal has been…
"sky"
Popular in Azerbaijan, a fast-rising choice in England and Wales, and a recent debut to the Netherlands Top 500, Sama is a succinct and gentle Arabic name with the lovely, celestial and nature…
