By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 8 pages
of 8
Arabic
"capable"
Kadir is derived from Qadir (many Arabic K names are phonetic versions of Q-starting names); a classic Muslim name reflecting one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah.
Ebrahim is a variant of Ibrahim, which is the Arabic form of Abraham. The name traces its origins to the ancient Hebrew name Avraham, meaning 'father of many nations' or 'exalted father.' Ebrahim…
"the one who brings good news"
Used both as a given name and as a surname, Bashir is a familiar but still unusual choice in the USA and UK, even among Muslim families. In 2014, only 25 boys were named Bashir in the US. One reason…
"servant"
Kadeem is a name made familiar by TV actor Kadeem Hardison, a fresher alternative to the better known Kareem.
"light, lamp"
Worldly and evocative.
"precious, scarce"
A relatively popular Arabic name that featured in the French Top 500 for much of the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st. It is also used as a given name in Turkey, Iran and Israel, as…
Arabic variation of Aaron
"exalted, high"
This common Arabic name is related to Aaron, but feels far more distinctive in the US. Haroun Khalifa is the protagonist of Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories .
"safe"
Spelled Najee, this was chosen by rapper LL Cool J for his son several years ago.
Arabic or Hebrew
"light or my fire"
A name used in the Middle East but that could easily work in the US. As a girls' name, Nuri can also be a short form of Nuria. It was chosen by Christy Lefteri for the protagonist of her novel, The…
Arabic place-name
"gardens"
The capital of Saudi Arabia makes a difficult first name.
"powerful"
Aza's similarity to the biblical name Asa makes it ripe for adaptation. If you want something more elaborate, you might consider Azariah. Something simpler? It doesn't get much simpler and that is…
"capable, powerful"
Qadir is a classic Muslim name that represents one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah. Since the initial Q is pronounced as K, this handsome name is sometimes Anglicized as Kadir.
"panther, leopard"
Roar! This popular name in the Arab world was once almost unused by English speakers, but is now given to a few boys in the States each year. It can also be spelled Fahad and Fahed.
"falcon"
The eleventh brightest star in the sky has a celestial feel, but also could be the name of a commercial airline.
Breton, French, Hebrew, “chieftain; grace and favor of God"
Typically spelled as Amaël, this name can be a variation of the popular Breton name, Maël, which ranks in the Top 10 in France. Amaël itself entered the French Top 500 in 2021, and ranked at #337 in…
English and Italian from Arabic and Sanskrit
"void"
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. Nevertheless, fourteen…
"praised"
Name of a great Indian Mogul king, a Matt Groening cartoon character, and many Indian restaurants.
Arabic, Spanish
"swooping eagle, meadow"
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…
Arabic variation of David
Intriguing David alternative, though American tongues will have trouble wrapping themselves around three vowels in a row.
"God is my reward"
Near Eastern name with lots of opportunities for variation and improvisation.
