Muslim Names

  1. Safiya
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      The soft and pretty name of one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad.
  2. Zaki
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "full of virtue, pure"
    • Description:

      Not related to Zack, Zacky, Zachary, or Zachariah – but many will assume it is.
  3. Rida
    • Origin:

      Muslim
    • Meaning:

      "God-fearing or devoted to God"
    • Description:

      Rida is a name indirectly mentioned in the Quran. While it can be used for both girls and boys, in English-speaking countries its similarity to the more common Rita makes it more appropriate for girls.
  4. Nadeem
    • Description:

      Nadeem is a masculine name with Arabic origins, meaning "friend," "companion," or "drinking companion." It derives from the Arabic word "nadim" (نديم) which historically referred to a courtier or close confidant, particularly someone who shared meals and conversations with nobility. The name has been used throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia for centuries, particularly in Muslim communities. In Pakistan and India, Nadeem has maintained steady popularity. The name carries positive connotations of friendship, loyalty, and sociability. Nadeem has a pleasing phonetic quality with its soft consonants and flowing vowel sounds. While not extremely common in Western countries, it has gained recognition through global migration, appealing to parents seeking a name with meaningful Arabic origins that's relatively easy to pronounce in multiple languages.

  5. Khadija
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "premature child"
    • Description:

      The Prophet Muhammad's first wife and the first convert to Islam, and a very popular name in the Muslim community. It ranks in the Top 200 girls' names in France, Italy and England & Wales (alongside variant Khadijah just below the Top 200).
  6. 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.
  7. Qamar
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "moon"
    • Description:

      Appealing in part because of its similarity to the likable Omar.
  8. Imtiaz
    • Origin:

      Arabic and Urdu
    • Meaning:

      "distinction"
    • Description:

      An unusual Arabic name, borne by the British poet and author Imtiaz Dharker.
  9. Shayan
    • Description:

      Shayan is a masculine name with Persian origins, meaning 'worthy' or 'deserving'. It's also found in Arabic cultures where it can mean 'follower' or 'devotee'. In Indian naming traditions, particularly in Hindi, it can be associated with the meaning 'evening' or 'dusk'. Shayan has gained moderate popularity in Iran and among Persian diaspora communities, while also finding appreciation in multicultural societies. The name has a melodious quality with its soft 'sh' sound and flowing syllables. Its cross-cultural presence makes it accessible in diverse settings while maintaining its distinctive character. Shayan combines masculine strength with a gentle phonetic quality, making it increasingly popular for parents seeking a name with meaningful cultural roots.
  10. Zejna
    • Origin:

      Bosnian form of Zaina, Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "beauty, grace"
    • Description:

      This form of the Arabic Zaina entered the Bosnia and Herzegovinia Top 100 for the first time in 2023. A name with a pleasant meaning and appealing sound, it ultimately derives from the popular Arabic boy name, Zayn.
  11. Ahmad
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "most commended, praisworthy"
    • Description:

      As a form of the popular Arabic name, Hamid, Ahmad could be seen as a contraction for one of the 99 names for Allah, al-Ḥamīd, however, it might also be a variation of Muhammad as they share the same roots. Either way, the name has many variants of its own, the Urdu Ahmed, the Kazakh Akhmet, and West African Amadou.
  12. Mecca
    • Origin:

      Arabic, exact meaning unknown
    • Meaning:

      "holy city; temple; place of great importance"
    • Description:

      The Islamic prophet Muhammad was born in the city of Mecca, now known as the holiest city in Islam. Officially called Makkah al-Mukarramah, or Makkah, it is located in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Millions of Muslims from across the world make a pilgrimage there each year, while Non-Muslims are understandably not allowed inside the city.
  13. Assia
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "protect"
    • Description:

      Assia is a Muslim name, best known in the Western world via tragic poet Assia Wevill, who was married to British poet Ted Hughes after Sylvia Plath and also committed suicide.
  14. Marwa
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "white stone"
    • Description:

      Marwa literally means "white stone," but is the name of a mountain in Mecca, making it an important name among Muslims. It's also another name for marjoram.
  15. Ayah
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "sign, miracle"
    • Description:

      Sweet and simple, Ayah is a beautiful Arabic name with a particularly lovely meaning — miracle. In Islam, Ayah refers to signs of God's existence, and is also the name for a verse in the Qur'an.
  16. Tanzil
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "sent down from above"
    • Description:

      Sleek but zippy in sound, Tanzil is a name of Arabic origin, deriving from the 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, making it a spiritually significant name to Muslims, associated with revelation and faith.
  17. Marjan
    • Description:

      Marjan is a feminine name with Slavic, Persian, and Dutch origins, though it can sometimes be used for males in certain cultures. In Slavic languages, particularly Slovenian and Croatian, it derives from the Latin Marianus, relating to the Roman family name Marius or possibly connected to the name Mary (Maria). In Persian culture, Marjan means 'coral' or 'pearl', symbolizing something precious and beautiful. In Dutch usage, it often combines 'Maria' and 'Jan'. The name is moderately common in Eastern Europe, the Netherlands, and Iran, though relatively uncommon elsewhere. Marjan typically evokes images of beauty, strength, and cultural richness across its various origins.

  18. Zakariyya
    • Description:

      Zakariyya is a masculine name of Arabic origin, representing an alternative transliteration of the name more commonly known as Zachariah or Zechariah in English. Derived from the Hebrew 'Zekharyah,' meaning 'God has remembered,' it appears in both the Bible and Quran, where Zakariyya was a prophet. The name is widely used in Muslim communities around the world, written in various forms depending on transliteration from Arabic script. Zakariyya carries spiritual significance while offering a distinctive four-syllable pronunciation. Parents might choose this name to honor religious heritage or to select a multicultural name with deep historical roots. Common nicknames include Zak or Zakari.

  19. Yushua
    • Description:

      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.
  20. Jaleel
    • Description:

      Jaleel is a masculine name with Arabic origins, meaning 'great,' 'noble,' or 'revered.' It has been used across various Muslim communities throughout the world and gained notable recognition in America during the 1990s, partly due to actor Jaleel White who portrayed Steve Urkel on the television show 'Family Matters.' The name combines melodic qualities with strong meaning, making it both aesthetically pleasing and symbolically powerful. Jaleel typically ranks among moderately popular Arabic names in Western countries, appreciated for its distinctive sound and positive associations with greatness and dignity.