180+ Arabic Girl Names
- Iman
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"faith"Description:
One of the best-known African names in the Western World because of the Somali-born model and wife of the late David Bowie.
- Zuleika
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"fair, brilliant beauty"Description:
Zuleika is a high-wire act of a name that might appeal to the intrepid baby namer, Like most 'Z'-starting girls' names, it projects a cool, strong aura, as exemplified by the character in Max Beerbohm's satirical 1910 novel, Zuleika Dobson, a heroine so gorgeous that the entire student body of Oxford University committed collective suicide at the sight of her.
- Anissa
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"friendly"Description:
A pretty and delicate cousin of Anna is often heard in Scotland and is also currently popular in France. In the US it was brought to public attention by child actress Anissa Jones, who played Buffy on the popular TV show Family Affair, which debuted in 1966, bringing her name onto the charts the following year. Born Mary Anissa, her middle/stage name reflected her Lebanese heritage.
- Mocha
Origin:
English, color and coffee nameDescription:
Save this for your next run to Starbucks.
- Shakira
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"thankful, woman of grace"Description:
The mononymous Colombian-born singer inspired a popularity blip in the 90s and early 00s.
- Zelmira
Origin:
Neapolitan blend of Arabic, Slavic, Latin influences. "brilliant one; one who wish for peace"Meaning:
"brilliant one; one who wish for peace"Description:
This name belongs to the eponymous heroine of Rossini's opera Zelmira (1822) about a (fictional) princess of Lesbos who saves her father and husband and her kingdom.
- Alula
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"first leap"Description:
Alula, the palindromic name of the first double star to be identified as physically related to its twin, would make the perfect name for a first-born twin. Ideas (we're only half joking) for the second born: Aviva, Aziza, Otto. Alula is reminiscent of the unusual name chosen by Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen for their second daughter: Elula, a month name from the Hebrew calendar.
- Sana
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"mountaintop, splendid, brilliant"Description:
One of the most easily imported Arabic names.
- Salma
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"safe"Description:
Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek lends a large dollop of glamour to this name that would otherwise resemble the middle-aged Selma.
- Farasha
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"butterfly"Description:
Farasha is butterfly in Arabic, which means that to English-speakers, it feels more like a soft feminine name and less like a fluttery animal. Pretty without feeling flighty.
- Nasima
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"breeze, fresh air"Description:
Associated with a spring festival, this name is used by both Muslims and Christians.
- Zamzam
Origin:
Arabic place nameDescription:
Zamzam has to be the ultimate impact name. Despite all those Zs, Zamzam, is not a trendy modern invention by some rock star; in fact Zamzam derives from the Well of Zamzam, which is the holiest place in Mecca.
- Zayna
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"beauty, grace"Description:
Zayna is a simplified spelling of Zaynab, the name of the eldest daughter of Muhammad, and also the feminine version of Zayn. Zaina is a widely-used spelling variation. Zainabu is another form of the name, also found in Swahili.
- Amapola
Origin:
Arabic, SpanishMeaning:
"poppy"Description:
A rarely heard name that was the title of a hugely popular Big Band song in the forties. Amapola, with the emphasis on the third syllable, is one flower name that has not been widely discovered. Baseball player Francisco Lindor and his wife Katia named their daughter Amapola Chloé in 2023.
- Nada
Origin:
Arabic, Serbian, Croatian, Slovene, MacedonianMeaning:
"dew at sunrise; hope"Description:
Concise Nada is a cross-cultural choice with pleasant meanings. In Arabic, it is derived from nadan meaning "dew, moisture", though other possible translations include "caller" and "goodness". As a Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian name, it means "hope".
- Sami
Origin:
Hebrew, diminutive of Samantha, or ArabicMeaning:
"praised"Description:
Sami is cute if overused in its more familiar Sammy form.
- Meissa
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"the shining one"Description:
Star in Orion that might make a fine name, except people will always assume it's Melissa, with a typo.
- Yaritza
Origin:
Elaboration of YaraDescription:
Variation of the name Yara—an Arabic name well-used in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries meaning "butterfly"—with the suffix from names like Maritza.
- Safiyah
Description:
Safiyah is a feminine name of Arabic origin meaning 'pure' or 'chosen friend.' This beautiful name appears in Islamic history as the name of one of Prophet Muhammad's wives, giving it significant religious and historical importance in Muslim communities. The name has variations including Safiya, Saffia, and Safiyyah, with slight differences in pronunciation across different cultures. Growing in popularity in diverse communities worldwide, Safiyah represents purity, wisdom, and moral clarity. The name has seen increased usage in Western countries in recent decades, appreciated for its melodious sound and meaningful etymology. Parents are drawn to Safiyah for its blend of historical significance, spiritual depth, and contemporary appeal.
- Yasmina
Description:
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 jasmine flower symbolizes purity, love, and sensuality in many cultures. The addition of the 'a' ending gives the name a more feminine touch in some traditions. Yasmina has gained popularity beyond the Middle East and North Africa, becoming increasingly common in Europe and other parts of the world. The name carries a beautiful exotic quality while remaining easy to pronounce in many languages, contributing to its international appeal.