Arabic Names for Boys

Talib is a North African name with an admirable meaning, associated with rapper Talib Kweli.

Talib

Also spelled as Ghazali, this name has an energetic sound that echoes its meaning. Notably borne by 11th-century Sunni scholar Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, the name has been interpreted to mean "gazelle" or "to spin, whirl" in reference to the occupation of weaving.
 
More commonly used as a surname, it has a poetic feel to it too, owing to its similarity in sound to the Ghazal, a type of Arabic ode. In this instance, it may be connected to its Persian meaning, "to display love to the loved one via words".

Gazali

Succinct and crisp in sound, Shukri is an Arabic name, related to the more familiar feminine form, Shakira. Notable bearers of the name include cricket coach Shukri Conrad, singer Shukri Jamal, fashion designer Shukri Lawrence, and actor Shukri Yahaya.
 
Alternative spellings include Shoukri, Shoukry, and Choukri while the Turkish form is Şükrü. Shakir is another name with the same root.

Shukri

A unisex Arabic name with a soft and international sound, Mishal has a glowing meaning too. 

Mishal

One of several similar names well used in the Muslim community. 

Khalíl

Yushua is a masculine name that represents a transliteration variation of Joshua, which derives from Hebrew and means 'Yahweh is salvation.' This particular spelling reflects how the name appears in some transliterations from Semitic languages, particularly resembling the Arabic form Yusha or the alternative Hebrew pronunciation. The name maintains the same biblical significance as Joshua, referring to Moses' successor in the Old Testament. Yushua offers a multicultural dimension to the traditional name, potentially appealing to families seeking to honor both Western and Middle Eastern or North African heritage. Though uncommon in English-speaking countries, this variation provides a distinctive alternative that remains connected to the widely recognized original. The pronunciation typically remains similar to Joshua, though some may emphasize the first syllable differently.

Yushua

Ismeil is a masculine name variant of Ismail (or Ishmael), with Arabic origins. The traditional form Ismail appears in both Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions as the name of Abraham's son. The meaning is often interpreted as 'God has heard' or 'God will hear.' This variation maintains the spiritual significance while offering a slightly different spelling. Though less common than the standard Ismail/Ishmael forms, Ismeil carries the same rich cultural heritage and religious importance. In Muslim communities, the name honors the prophet Ismail, who is considered an important figure in Islamic tradition. The name has moderate popularity in Middle Eastern and Muslim communities worldwide.

Ismeil

Cool but meaningful, Khayri is derived from the Arabic kayr, a word that appears multiple times in the Quran and is associated with goodness, generosity, wealth, and welfare. Also spelled as Khairi, it was chosen by footballer Riyad Mahrez and TV personality and influencer Taylor Ward for their son in 2025.
 
Other forms of the name include the short, sharp Khayr, Turkish variations Kayra and Hayri, and the feminine forms Khayriyya and Khairiyah.

Khayri

Ismeal is a male name that appears to be a spelling variation of Ishmael or Ismael. The traditional name has Hebrew origins meaning 'God will hear' or 'God has heard.' In Biblical tradition, Ishmael was the son of Abraham and Hagar. This specific spelling variant, Ismeal, is quite uncommon and may have developed through regional pronunciation differences or as a unique adaptation by families seeking a distinctive version of the traditional name. While the standard spellings Ishmael and Ismael are relatively common in various cultures, particularly in Muslim communities where Ismail is an important prophet, the Ismeal variant remains rare. The name carries connotations of being heard or acknowledged by divine forces.

Ismeal

Used predominantly in India, Bangladesh, and Malaysia, Azahar is a variation of the name Azhar, giving it the same shining meaning. The name coincides with a feminine Spanish name of the same spelling, and while they both share the same Arabic root, the Spanish name comes from a Marian title and is associated with orange blossoms. 

Azahar

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

Hamal

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

 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 9)