Arabic Names for Boys

A Malay compound name, blending Turkic Aslan with the popular Arabic Nur, this name may be interpreted to mean "lion of light". Also written as Nurazlan and Nor Azlan, it has a bright and powerful feel.

Norazlan

A multicultural choice that can be used as a nickname, a given name, and a surname, Zeka might appeal to those who enjoy names such as Sacha, Mika, and Luka, and to those who like Hezekiah and Ezekiel but don't want anything so heavily Biblical.
 
As a diminutive, Zeka may derive from the Biblical Zechariah meaning "He (God) has remembered". It would work especially for international variations of the name such as the Turkish Zekeriya or Albanian Zekeria. Alternatively, it may come from Hezekiah or Ezekiel meaning "God strengthens", and as such, would make a fresh twist on Zeke.
 
From its Turkish roots, Zeka may well be a variation on the name Zeki and the word zekâ meaning "intelligent, clever, mind". Ultimately, it would then stem from the Arabic dhakīy. 
 
Due to its multicultural roots, it is used across Albania, Egypt, the DR of Congo, Serbia, Russia, Cyprus, and beyond, though it has yet to rank in the US charts.
 
The name is pronounced zeh-kah from its Turkish and Albanian roots, though zee-kuh may also be used elsewhere.

Zeka

Confident Middle Eastern choice. Children will relate to the Rafiki form via the wise guru in Disney's "The Lion King." 

Rafiq

Zinedine Zidane is France's biggest soccer star, spawning a legion of little Zinedines in that country. 

Zinedine

A multicultural choice with a sound as friendly as both its meaning, Veli has its roots in Turkish, Arabic, Albanian. and Finnish.
 
As a Turkish and Albanian name, Veli is a form of the Arabic Wali, which ultimately comes from waliya meaning "to be close to". Used to refer to saints in Islamic tradition, it may be more broadly interpreted as "helper, friend" or "as "friend of God".
 
Additionally, its use in Turkey may also have been influenced by its usage during the Ottoman period, where it was usually said to mean "guardian" or "protector" adding an strength to the name.
 
Veli also has its roots in Finnish and Estonian, in which case, it means "brother". Other forms include the diminutives Veijo, Veikko, and Vello (VAY-yo; VAYK-o; VEH-lo).

Veli

A significant name within Islamic tradition, the name was born by Maytham al-Tammar, a trusted and close companion of Iman Ali ibn Abu Talib, the forth Caliph (Muslim ruler). Known for his sacrifices to religion and loyalty to Iman Ali, he is viewed as a worthy namesake.
 
Also appearing as Meysem, Maitham, and Meysam, the name derives from Arabic and means "crushing". While this may sound like a negative meaning, it is generally interpreted to refer to the sound made by the hooves of a horse of camel.
 
The name may however have English origins too, appearing in the name of Great Maytham Hall, a listed country house, famous for being the inspiration behind the novel, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. In this case, the name may mean "estate with mayweed", "good homestead" or "maiden settlement".

Maytham

Iftikhar is a spiky yet stately sounding option, similar in feel to Iskandar and Ibrahim. Used predominantly as a masculine name in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, it leans feminine in Iraq. 
 
The name may be interpreted in two very different lights: as a positive choice associated with beauty, magnificence, elegance, and loftiness and as a negative option, denoting pride, vanity, self-conceit, and a tendency to brag.

Iftikhar

An alternative transliteration of the Arabic Sunnah, a name that literally means "custom, habit" though is used more broadly to refer to the traditions and practises provided by the prophet Muhammad for Muslims to follow. A spiritually significant choice within Islamic tradition, this form is notably used across India.
 
There is also evidence that Sunna may have been used as an Anglo-Saxon masculine name, possibly meaning "wet, marshy land", though could have also linked to sunne meaning "sun". 
 
Additionally, Sunna is a feminine Scandinavian name, used as short form of Sunneva or Susanna, or as a stand alone name, connected to the "sun".

Sunna

Sunnah is the name of the traditions and practises provided by the prophet Muhammad for Muslims to follow, and thus this simple yet impactful name is a significant choice among Muslim parents. Literally meaning "habit, custom", it is a unisex name that leans around 80% masculine in Afghanistan, but is largely feminine in Indonesia, Liberia, and Pakistan.
 
Occasionally spelled as Sunna, especially in India, it may also form part of the compound name, Sunnatullah, meaning "the Sunnah of God" or "the way of God".

Sunnah

An uplifting Arabic name, meaning of "rising, getting up", Nahid connects to aspiration, energy, and spirituality. Not to be confused with the Persian Nahid, a planet name and a feminine name from Iranian mythology, Nahid has ranked in England and Wales and in Azerbaijan. 

Nahid

A stately and commanding compound name, Amirgali is a blend of the Arabic name Amir, meaning "commander" or "prince" and the Kazakh form of Ali, also an Arabic name meaning "sublime, lofty". A notable bearer is Olympic skier Amirgali Muratbekov.
 
The 'G' is pronounced quietly (as you can listen to <a href="https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/results/athlete-details/28135">here</a>).

Amirgali

Zadig is the name of the hero and philosopher in Voltaire's 1747 novella, Zadig, ou la Destinée ("Zadig, or The Book of Fate"), though it may be better associated today with the fashion retailer Zadig&Voltaire whose name was inspired by the classic work.
 
Derived from the Arabic Sadiq, meaning "true, sincere, loyal" or from the Hebrew tzadik, a title for a righteous person, it may also be viewed as an Armenian choice, stemming from the word for Easter. The pronunciation can vary depending on where you are in the world: in French, it would be ZA-DEEK, in Armenian, it would be zah-DEEG; in English, it may be said as ZA-deeg.
 
Recent years have seen it gain attention in modern France as a quirky-chic choice.

Zadig

A popular name in the Arab community, with an upbeat meaning. 

Sa'id

A variation of the Arabic Tahir, most notably used in North Africa, Tahar was a popular choice in Tunisia in the 1950s and also featured in the French Top 500 around the same period. Pronounced as TA-heer in Maghrebi Arabic and as TA-AR in France, it shouldn't be confused with the similarly transcribed Taha.
 
Notable bearers include poet and writer Tahar Ben Jelloun, actor Tahar Rahim, and boxer Tahar Tamsamani.

Tahar

Strong name, with a regal, romantic natural imagery image. 

Badar

A name with two possible meanings, Azri is short, zippy, and fresh.
 
As a Malay name, it has its roots in the Arabic ʿadhriyy, giving it the meaning "pure, clean, chaste", while as a Hebrew (or perhaps contemporary) name, it likely borrows from names like Azriel, Azariah, and Ezri, meaning "help".

Azri

Literally referring to dawn, daybreak, and beginnings, Fajr is also the name of the Islamic morning prayer. While it is used predominantly for girls, it is sometimes given to boys too.

Fajr

A name with considerable history, as the celebrated sultan of Egypt and Syria in the time of the Crusades. 

Saladin

A relative of  Barak and Baraka, this upbeat Arabic name is associated with good fortune. Also appearing as Barakat, it is used predominantly for boys, though recent years have seen it rise up the England and Wales charts for girls too.

Barkat

A cheerful Arabic name, associated with good fortune and multiple blessings, Barakat  is a relative of Barack and Baraka. 

Barakat

 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.

 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.

 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. 

Arabic Boy Names with meanings and popularity, popular with Muslim parents in the US, Britain, and around the world. (Page 10)