Arabic Names that Start With N

  1. Nyla
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Sanskrit, Irish, modern invention
    • Meaning:

      "winner, one who achieves; hero; cloud; wind, air; dark blue"
    • Description:

      Bright, spirited, and playful, Nyla shares sounds with the popular Isla, Lila, Layla, and Delilah, making it feel fresh and in style. A name with a number of possible origins, it made a brief, anomalous appearance on the US charts in 1941, before disappearing again for the next 60 years. It has been back in the US Top 1000 since 2001, and is currently on the rise, given to around 1230 girls each year.
  2. Noor
    • Origin:

      Arabic; Dutch variation of Eleonora
    • Meaning:

      "light"
    • Description:

      An interesting name associated with the elegant American-born Queen Noor of Jordan. Noor is very popular among modern Muslim parents around the world and is beginning to cross over, perhaps because of its simplicity and its resemblance to the stylish Western Nora. It appeared in the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015.
  3. Numair
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "panther"
    • Description:

      Projects an air of power and speed.
  4. Nylah
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "winner"
    • Description:

      Nylah is the Arabic name of a princess -- Nyla is another variation -- that's rising quickly through the ranks, partly thanks to an adorable kitty that enjoyed 15 minutes of YouTube fame. But we predict this attractive and unusual name will get a longer turn in the sun than the pop-culture cat.
  5. Nuri
    • Origin:

      Arabic or Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "light or my fire"
    • Description:

      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 Beekeeper of Aleppo which may have familiarized people with the name.
  6. Nasir
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "helper"
    • Description:

      Similar to Nasser, with a slightly more altruistic meaning. Rapper Nas was born Nasir Bin Olu Dara Jones, and Nasir may have gotten a bump from 2016 show The Night Of, whose protagonist was named Nasir Kahn.
  7. Nahla
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "a drink of water"
    • Description:

      Nahla is a lovely name chosen by Halle Berry for her daughter. Not to be confused with the Disneyfied Nala.
  8. Nashira
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "the bearer of good news"
    • Description:

      Nashira is one of those obscure space names that might rise along with such heavenly choices as Orion, Luna, and even Nevaeh. A giant star in Capricorn, Nashira is an unusual and attractive name with several positive associations.
  9. Naja
    • Origin:

      Greenlandic, Arabic or Navajo
    • Meaning:

      "boy's younger sister; success; or silver hands"
    • Description:

      One of several similar feminine names often found in the Muslim world but also a Native American name. And in Greenlandic, Naja means "a boy's younger sister", which could be a sweet connection to a big brother. It's a relatively popular name in Denmark.
  10. Nadir
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "precious, scarce"
    • Description:

      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 well as being a relatively common surname (also spelled Nader). Notable bearers include an 18th century Shah of Iran, a 19th century King of Afghanistan and a former Prime Minister of Jordan.
  11. Nakia
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      Technically a boy's name, but certainly one that would work in the Western culture for a girl, especially after the release of Black Panther, in which it was the name of Lupita Nyong'o's fiery character. Nakia lies outside the Top 1000 but is among the fastest-rising names for both girls and boys.
  12. Nasima
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "breeze, fresh air"
    • Description:

      Associated with a spring festival, this name is used by both Muslims and Christians.
  13. Nada
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Serbian, Croatian, Slovene, Macedonian
    • Meaning:

      "dew at sunrise; hope"
    • Description:

      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 Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian name, it means "hope".
  14. Nabil
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "highborn"
    • Description:

      Pleasant and accessible and not as widely-used as some other African names.
  15. Nadira
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "precious, rare"
    • Description:

      Feminine form of Nadir
  16. Naji
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "safe"
    • Description:

      Spelled Najee, this was chosen by rapper LL Cool J for his son several years ago.
  17. Naeem
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "benevolent"
    • Description:

      Could present pronunciation problems.
  18. Najila
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "bright eyes"
    • Description:

      Pretty and feminine Arabic name.
  19. Nuh
    • Origin:

      Arabic and Turkish form of Noah
    • Meaning:

      "rest"
    • Description:

      A variant of the highly popular Noah, Nuh has featured in the UK Top 1000 on and off since the 2010s.
  20. Nakia
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      Attractive name, but it does sound feminine. Some have changed it to Nakari. Although it does not make the U.S. Top 1000, Nakia is among the ten fastest-rising names for both boys and girls.