By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
Botanical name; Arabic
"brightness"
Senna is a flowering bush common in the tropics, with bright yellow flowers. In herbal medicine, Senna has gained some notice as the active ingredient in so-called "dieter's teas," which works mainly…
Arabic variation of Solomon, Hebrew
"man of peace"
Also transcribed as Sulaiman or Sulayman, this is the Arabic form of the biblical Solomon. It holds strong historical and religious significance, most famously associated with Suleiman the…
Yasmina is a feminine name of Arabic and Persian origin. It is a derivative of the name Yasmin, which refers to the jasmine flower, known for its sweet fragrance and delicate white blossoms. The…
Arabic
"servant of Allah"
Widespread choice in the Muslim world, this was the name of both the father of the Prophet Mohammed and one of his sons.
"support; reinforcement"
In the Quran, Eyad (and names with similar roots like Iyad and Ayad) refers to a person/entity that strengthens another. Eyad is one of the modern Arabic names for boys .
"small, handsome one"
One spelling of a well-used Arabic name. Hussein ibn Ali was a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. It gained in popularity in the USA during the presidency of Barack Hussein Obama.
Spanish, Arabic
"palm tree; flower"
Yesenia is a Latinx favorite popularized by a character on a Spanish-language soap opera. Jessenia is another variation. The name is drawn from the name of a palm tree in South America, but Yesenia…
"deserts"
A beautiful and evocative place-name that deserves wider use, Sahara brings to mind deserts and heat. Derived from Arabic, it is the name of the world's largest hot desert, located across the North…
Diminutive of Jedidiah, Hebrew
"beloved of the Lord"
Cowboyish short form that's both macho and cool. Got prime time exposure on The West Wing .
"perfect"
An easily adaptable Middle Eastern names, partly because of its similarity to the western Camila, Kamilah has gentle sounds and a bright meaning. It is a feminine form of Kamil, meaning "perfect,…
"faith"
One of the best-known African names in the Western World because of the Somali-born model and wife of the late David Bowie.
"empathetic, merciful"
To Muslims, an auspicious name.
"high, exalted, praised"
Samiya is a name used by parents of both Arabic and African ancestry. Spelling variations include Samiyah, Samiah, and Samia.
"praiseworthy"
Historic name commonly found in the Arab world.
A frequently used Arabic name.
"benevolent"
Could present pronunciation problems.
"charitable, generous"
Name of a son of the Prophet Muhammad, with a particularly positive meaning.
"safe"
Distinguished by association with renowned African diplomat Salim Ahmed Salim, this name is popular in many variations throughout the Arab world. Its use is growing in the US as well, especially in…
"evening conversation"
This attractive Arabic name is gaining attention 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…
"full of virtue, pure"
Not related to Zack, Zacky, Zachary, or Zachariah – but many will assume it is.
