By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 17 pages
of 17
Arabic
"powerful and beloved"
Aziza is a zippy palindromic choice that is the female variation of Aziz and is found in several Middle Eastern and African languages and cultures. All in all, an attractive and interesting option; a…
"safety"
Salman is an Arabic name dating back to Salman the Persian, one of Muhammad's companions. In this country it is strongly associated with Anglo-Indian novelist Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic…
"highborn"
Pleasant and accessible and not as widely-used as some other African names .
"friend"
Kahlil, spelled in various ways, was first brought into the American consciousness by the poet Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet.
"just, fair"
Also spelled Adel, this name of Arabic origin is also used in Urdu, Turkish, and Persian. It comes from the Arabic root adala meaning "to act justly", linking it to honesty and fairness —…
"lucky, fortunate"
This female form of Sa'id is one of several eminently usable Arabic S names.
"beautiful"
Familiar and handsome, Jamil is a name of Arabic origin. Its literal meaning is "beautiful" and while this can refer to physical beauty, as a Quranic name, it more specifically refers to beautiful…
"good-natured"
Phonetic spelling of the Muslim Aanisah, chosen by singer Macy Gray for one of her daughters.
"lion or strong"
This name has considerable meaning in the Islamic world, as Hamzah the brave was the uncle and protector of the Prophet of Islam. A more contemporary Hamzah is the eldest son of the late King Hussein…
Arabic and Urdu from Hebrew Yitzchak or Isaac
"laughter"
The Arabic and Urdu form of the cheerful Isaac, itself derived from the Hebrew Ytizchak, Ishaq is familiar in the UK and in France and was a fast rising choice in 2023. In Islamic tradition, Ishaq is…
"a drink of water"
Nahla is a lovely name chosen by Halle Berry for her daughter. Not to be confused with the Disneyfied Nala.
Variation of Isa, German
"strong-willed"
Issa might make more sense if you're using it as a nickname for any one of the various names ending in -issa, but this spelling is also an Arabic and Hebrew boy name. The Isa spelling is almost…
Spanish, Arabic, Tupi
"friend, helper; butterfly water nymph"
Likely an elaboration of the multicultural Yara, an Arabic name well-used in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries meaning "butterfly" or "helper" (or possibly "water nymph" from its Tupi…
Hindi; Arabic
"lotus; perfect, perfection"
Kamal carries two positive associations: one of the ninety-nine qualities of Allah listed in the Quran and the evocative lotus flower. Americans might recognize it as the male equivalent of Kamala,…
"gazing"
Shy but sultry.
Arabic, diminutive of Rafiq; Spanish, diminutive of Rafael
Most people will assoicate it with the well-known children's singer.
Appealing Indian and Arabic choice.
"well developed, handsome"
No longer a one-person name, as a number of parents have been inspired by basketball great Shaquille O'Neal to adopt it for their own future athletes.
"properous"
Could be some disconnect between spelling and pronunciation.
"patient"
An Arabic name with Quranic connections -- it represents one of the essential qualities -- that would have no trouble assimilating. Sabira or Sabirah is a form used for girls, and Sabri can be used…
