Arabic Boy Names
Updated Thu Sep 14 2023
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Arabic boy names include the most popular baby boy name worldwide: Muhammad and its variants. Millions of men and boys bear the name around the globe, and (with variant spellings taken into account) it’s currently the top boy name in Britain and several other European countries.
Muhammad is of course popular in the US as well among Muslim parents. Along with Muhammad, other Arabic names for boys in the US Top 1000 include Ali, Amir, Ibrahim, Malik, Nasir, Omar, Samir, Xavier, and Yusuf. Unique Arabic boy names getting more attention include Amin, Aza, Osman, Rahim, and more.
In the UK, popular Arabic boy names include — besides Muhammad — Yusuf, Ibrahim, and Musa, which is the Arabic form of Moses. Boy names popular in the Arabic-speaking world include Yusuf, Mustafa, and Hamza, which means lion or strong.
Arabic names are rich in history and often have particularly deep and powerful meanings. You’ll find over 100 more awesome Arabic boy names in Nameberry’s full tally, below, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
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- Xavier
Origin:
BasqueMeaning:
"new house"Description:
Xavier originated is use as a given name after Saint Francis Xavier, cofounder of the Jesuit order, who got his name from the Spanish-Basque village where he was born. His birthplace was Javier, the name of which was derived from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning "castle" or "new house."
- Altair
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"falcon"Description:
The eleventh brightest star in the sky has a celestial feel, but also could be the name of a commercial airline.
- Idris
Origin:
Welsh; ArabicMeaning:
"lord; studious"Description:
A name that crosses cultures, Idris was virtually unknown before the emergence of the charismatic Idris Elba, first on The Wire and then depicting Nelson Mandela in the acclaimed film.
- Zayn
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"beauty, grace"Description:
Zayn zoomed up the popularity charts thanks to former One Direction member Zayn Malik; it was one of the fastest-rising names of 2016. The name can also be spelled Zain; the feminine version is Zayna or Zaina.
- Malik
Origin:
Arabic; GreenlandicMeaning:
"king; owner; wave"Description:
A name with many spelling variations, including Malek, Melik, and Maliq, Malik is a popular name of Arabic and Semetic origin that is used internationally as both a given name and a surname. In terms of meaning, it can be considered a royal name meaning "king", though other sources suggest it is an alternative transcription of Maalik, making "owner, possessor" a more accurate meaning.
- Omar
Origin:
Arabic, HebrewMeaning:
"flourishing, thriving; eloquent"Description:
Omar has a perfect mix of unusuality and familiarity, with the added plus of a strong, open initial O. Commonly used among Muslim families, Omar was long associated with twelfth-century Persian poet Omar Khayyam, though it sounds anything but ancient now.More recent well-known bearers have been World War II General Omar Bradley and actors Omar Sharif(born Michael) and Omar Epps.
- Khalid
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"immortal, everlasting"Description:
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 personality and rap collaborator DJ Khaled. R&B singer Khalid may also be contributing to its newfound popularity. The name is important in Islamic history thanks to a 7th century military leader. Khalida is the feminine version.
- Amir
Origin:
Arabic or HebrewMeaning:
"prince, ruler; treetop"Description:
Concise, familiar and multicultural, Amir enjoys widespread popularity around the world. A common name in the Middle East and across Africa, it has been on the rise in the US since the late 70s, and entered the Top 100 for the first time in 2023.
- Rayan
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"land that is lush and rich in water"Description:
Popular Arabic name for boys and sometimes girls too, that's also a term of authority in India.
- Vega
Origin:
Arabic, SpanishMeaning:
"swooping eagle, meadow"Description:
This striking name has a lot going for it: it's a self-confident Spanish surname, it identifies one of the most brilliant stars in the sky, and it has a musical reference to singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega.
- Rafi
Origin:
Arabic, diminutive of Rafiq; Spanish, diminutive of RafaelDescription:
Most people will assoicate it with the well-known children's singer.
- Muhammad
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"praiseworthy"Description:
There are over five hundred names for the Arab prophet who founded the Muslim religion, making it the most common boys' name in the world and explaining the Muslim adage, "If you have a hundred sons, name them all Muhammad."
- Zero
Origin:
Italian from Arabic and SanskritMeaning:
"void"Description:
Zero has been documented as a given name before, but it's largely familiar as a stage name (such as Zero Mostel, born Samuel Joel Mostel) and comic book and anime characters.
- Hamza
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"lion or strong"Description:
Hamza was the legendary uncle of the Prophet Muhammad, hero of The Hamzanama, the Story of Hamza.
- Jed
Origin:
Diminutive of Jedidiah, HebrewMeaning:
"beloved of the Lord"Description:
Cowboyish short form that's both macho and cool. Got prime time exposure on The West Wing.
- Eyad
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"support; reinforcement"Description:
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.
- Zavier
Origin:
Spelling variation of XavierDescription:
This phonetic version is occasionally used and removes any confusion about whether the X is fully pronounced or not.
- Samir
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"a friend to talk with in the evening"Description:
Samir has a pleasing sound and lovely meaning. One of those distinctive names that can also fit right in—and you could always call him Sam.
- Ali
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"supreme, exalted"Description:
This is one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah, deemed by Muhammad to be a recommended name for a male child. In this country, it's been primarily associated with boxing immortal Muhammad Ali, known as "the greatest." But Ali is also one of the most popular unisex names for both boys and girls.
- Kanan
Origin:
Arabic, Sanskrit, Azerbaijani, HebrewMeaning:
"merchant; woods, grove; variant of Canaa; low, humble"Description:
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 2022. Given to around 200 boys each year, it feels familiar and rare at the same time.