Muslim Names

  1. Sana
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "mountaintop, splendid, brilliant"
    • Description:

      One of the most easily imported Arabic names.
  2. Salma
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "safe"
    • Description:

      Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek lends a large dollop of glamour to this name that would otherwise resemble the middle-aged Selma.
  3. Farasha
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "butterfly"
    • Description:

      Farasha is butterfly in Arabic, which means that to English-speakers, it feels more like a soft feminine name and less like a fluttery animal. Pretty without feeling flighty.
  4. Younes
    • Description:

      Younes is a masculine name of Arabic origin, representing a variant of Yunus or Jonah. The name derives from the Arabic word meaning 'dove,' symbolizing peace and gentleness. Younes appears in Islamic tradition as the prophet known as Jonah in Judeo-Christian texts. Popular throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Muslim communities worldwide, the name carries spiritual significance across multiple cultures. Its pronunciation (typically YOO-nes) makes it accessible in various languages while maintaining its cultural roots. The name has grown more familiar in Western countries with diverse populations, appreciated for its melodic sound and meaningful heritage. Younes combines religious significance with natural symbolism, appealing to parents seeking a name with depth and cross-cultural resonance.
  5. Zaid
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "to increase"
    • Description:

      This variant of the Arabic Zayd actually ranks higher than the original in the US. In the contemporary American culture, however, this name could be viewed as an alternative to recently invented name Zade.
  6. Farhan
    • Description:

      Farhan is a masculine name of Arabic origin meaning 'joy' or 'happiness.' Popular throughout the Muslim world, including the Middle East, South Asia, and Muslim communities globally, it carries positive associations of cheerfulness and delight. The name has a melodious quality while remaining straightforward to pronounce across multiple languages. As a traditional Arabic name with an uplifting meaning, Farhan represents cultural heritage while conveying an optimistic quality many parents seek. The name has gained recognition beyond Muslim communities as global awareness of diverse naming traditions has increased. Farhan balances cultural significance with universal appeal, making it both meaningful for those connected to its origins and accessible to a broader audience appreciating its pleasant sound and positive connotations.
  7. Zaha
    • Description:

      Zaha is a distinctive feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It has Arabic origins where it can mean 'brilliant' or 'shining,' carrying connotations of brightness and radiance. The name gained international recognition through the renowned Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, whose innovative designs brought prominence to this formerly obscure name. In some African traditions, particularly Swahili, Zaha can also have meaningful connections. The name's brevity and symmetrical construction give it a modern, streamlined quality, while the soft 'z' and open 'a' sounds create a melodic flow. Despite its growing recognition, Zaha remains relatively uncommon in Western countries, making it distinctive without being difficult to pronounce. Parents might choose this name for its multicultural resonance, artistic associations, and beautiful meaning, as well as its elegant simplicity that works well across language boundaries.

  8. Nasima
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "breeze, fresh air"
    • Description:

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

      Urdu
    • Meaning:

      "face like the moon"
    • Description:

      A sweet Muslim name denoting beauty
  10. Zakariya
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "God remembers"
    • Description:

      An Arabic form of Zachariah which may also be spelled as Zakariyya. In Islamic tradition, Zakariya was a priest and prophet, in charge of managing the services at the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
  11. Nidal
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "struggle, strife; warrior"
    • Description:

      A short but impactful name of Arabic origin, Nidal literally translates to "struggle" in Arabic, however, it can more broadly be interpreted as "warrior", "fighter" or "defense", as in, someone who struggles against strife and discord. Currently popular in Bosnia and Herzegovinia where it re-entered the Top 100 in 2023, it is borne by musician and producer Nidal Mourad, director Nidal Algafari, and Youtuber Nidal Wonder.
  12. Musfirah
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "glowing face, bright"
    • Description:

      A joyful name with a beautiful meaning, Musfirah, also spelled Musfira, refers to the idea of glowing with happiness", or more specifically, to bright happy faces. It is considered a Muslim name as it is mentioned in the Quran, in which true believers are described as "beaming with happiness".
  13. Zayna
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "beauty, grace"
    • Description:

      Zayna is a simplified spelling of Zaynab, the name of the eldest daughter of Muhammad, and also the feminine version of Zayn. Zaina is a widely-used spelling variation. Zainabu is another form of the name, also found in Swahili.
  14. Dalila
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "guide"
    • Description:

      Names that sound and/or are spelled like Dalila exist in several languages, from the Swahili Dalili to the Arabic Dalil to the Hebrew Delilah. A beautiful cross-cultural choice.
  15. Tanzila
    • Origin:

      Urdu, Bengali, Tatar, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "sent down from above"
    • Description:

      An elegant yet zippy sounding name, Tanzila derives from the term Arabic term tanzīl meaning "sent down, or descended". In Islamic tradition, it is used to refer to the Angel Gabriel descending from above to reveal the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.
  16. Hamdan
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "praiseworthy"
    • Description:

      Derived from the same root as the popular name Muhammad, Hamdan is an Arabic name, also used in Indonesia and Malaysia, that means "the praised one" or "worthy of praise". It has aristocratic and political ties in the middle east and Arab world, with Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum being the Crown Prince of Duabai.
  17. Eesa
    • Description:

      Eesa is a masculine name of Arabic origin, representing the Arabic form of Jesus (Isa in the Quran). The name carries significant religious importance in Islam, where Jesus is revered as an important prophet. Eesa has a soft, melodic quality with its two syllables flowing smoothly together. Beyond its religious connections, the name is appreciated for its simplicity and gentle sound. In Western countries, Eesa has gained popularity among Muslim families while also appealing to parents seeking short, distinctive names with meaningful origins. The name is typically pronounced EE-sah, though regional variations exist. Its cross-cultural recognition makes it an increasingly global choice.

  18. Bashir
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "the one who brings good news"
    • Description:

      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 for its low usage could be a connection to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted for war crimes, including genocide, in Darfur.
  19. Amiyah
    • Origin:

      American variation of Amaya and Amaia, Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "the end"
    • Description:

      While this name is a phonetic variant of Amaya and Amaia, its popularity could also stem from its similarity to names such as Aliyah, Amelia, and Amara too. It entered the US Top 1000 back in 2003, peaked in 2017 at #257, but has been on decline in recent years. Nevertheless, it is one of four variations of Amaia in the Top 1000 and when you combine these names together, they were collectively given to 3256 babies in a recent year, making the name *feel* or at least *sound* like a Top 100 choice, similarly popular to Ruby, Claire, Audrey, or Alice.
  20. Safiyah
    • Description:

      Safiyah is a feminine name of Arabic origin meaning 'pure' or 'chosen friend.' This beautiful name appears in Islamic history as the name of one of Prophet Muhammad's wives, giving it significant religious and historical importance in Muslim communities. The name has variations including Safiya, Saffia, and Safiyyah, with slight differences in pronunciation across different cultures. Growing in popularity in diverse communities worldwide, Safiyah represents purity, wisdom, and moral clarity. The name has seen increased usage in Western countries in recent decades, appreciated for its melodious sound and meaningful etymology. Parents are drawn to Safiyah for its blend of historical significance, spiritual depth, and contemporary appeal.