By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 10 pages
of 10
Feminine variation of Amir, Arabic
"commander, prince"
Emira is one of those pan-international names that feels pleasant enough but seems so unrooted to any one culture that it might as well be made up.
Arabic
"unique, precious pearl"
Farida is a Muslim name more distinctive than the Americanized Farah/Farrah.
Variation of Elijah or Aliyah, Hebrew; Arabic
"Yahweh is god; rising, to ascend; heavens, highborn, exalted"
Eliya may be thought of as a female variation on the popular Biblical boys' name Elijah or a spelling variation of the popular girls' name Aliyah. It may not rank among the US Top 1000 and it may…
Arabic; Lithuaniian
"white antelope; to calm down, to quieten"
Nature girl played by Audrey Hepburn in "Green Mansions," it now has an old-style bohemian feel.
"corner"
This name of a triple star system in Virgo has a New Agey astral feel.
Arabic, Serbian, Croatian, Slovene, Macedonian
"dew at sunrise; hope"
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…
Arabic, Spanish
"swooping eagle; meadow"
Another astral name, this one relating to one of the largest and brightest stars in the heavens, is popular in Scandinavia and Spain, where it ranks among the Top 50 girls' names . Although still…
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…
"evening conversation"
This lovely Arabic name is gaining popularity 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 in…
"fortunate, prosperous"
Popular girls' name in Syria. In Yiddish, pronounced ZAE-dah, this is a term for grandfather.
"silver pearl"
Rare and rhythmic.
"guide to righteousness"
A pleasant, welcoming Middle Eastern choice.
Hebrew, diminutive of Samantha, or Arabic
"praised"
Sami is cute if overused in its more familiar Sammy form.
Arabic; Hebrew
"color of earth; dust"
Earthier version of the name of England's first female professional writer, Aphra Behn.
"gentle and patient"
The name of the Prophet Muhammad's childhood nurse carries special resonance for Muslim parents.
"true believer"
Could serve as an alternative to the more common Latifah.
"powerful"
Aza is an excellent Arabic choice: elegant and simple. Too simple for you? Consider Aziza.
"safe"
Very popular throughout the Arab world and growing in use in the US as well, where it was given last year to more than 50 baby girls.
"pure and chaste"
Tahira is a pretty Arabic virtue name, unusual yet accessible.
"fair, brilliant beauty"
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…
