International Baby Names
By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 34 pages
of 34
Arabic variation of Ishmael, Hebrew
"God will hear"
This classic, handsome Arabic name — cognate of the Hebrew Ishmael — was chosen by Tan and Rob France for their son born in 2021. Ismail is the preferred spelling in England, Germany, Malaysia,…
Arabic
"noble, generous"
Kareem is the more popular form in the US, thanks to basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but Karim is right on his heels after being among the fastest-rising names of 2022. French soccer player…
"righteous, right-handed, blessed, lucky"
Handsome Arabic name that is well-used internationally. Ayman is a Top 500 name in the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Italy, and a Top 100 name in Spain. It could very easily be borne by an…
Finnish, Arabic, Sanskrit "wise protector; father of multitudes; archer; pleasing"
"wise protector; father of multitudes; archer; pleasing"
Rami has gained notoriety in the English-speaking world as the first name of the Oscar-nominated actor Rami Malek, whose parents immigrated to the US from Egypt. Rami also feels more approachable…
Italian, Portuguese, Slovene and Croatian variation of Agnes
"pure, virginal"
This form of Agnes, Ines has always been popular since the true story of the thwarted lovers Queen Ines of Castro and King Peter of Portugal. This has to be one of the most heartbreaking and bloody…
"God remembers"
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.…
"beautiful, handsome"
Hasan is a significant Muslim historical figure — he was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the son of Ali and Fatimah. Shia Muslims consider Hasan a martyr — he died after being poisoned by…
Arabic, variation of Amira
"princess"
Delicate yet strong, Amira has been a cross-cultural sensation in recent years, rising fast internationally. Spelling variation Amyra is joining in on the love, and features in the Top 1000 in the UK…
"wealthy, prosperous"
In this country, very much tied to PLO leader Arafat.
"trustworthy, faithful"
The usage of this Arabic name has been increasing in the US, joining the Top 1000 for the first time in 2015. Aminah bint Wahb was the mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Arabic, Persian
"sign"
Ayat is a Quranic name for girls that literally translates to "sign" or "clue" but in the context of the name, it refers to signs of God, manifestations of the divine, or verses from the Quran. In…
"flourishing, thriving"
A possible alternative to the more popular (and attractive) Omar.
"merciful"
Rising Muslim boy name.
"beauty"
Jamal is an Arabic boys’ name meaning "beauty." Jamal and its variants are popular in the Muslim community, although Jamal’s popularity within the US has decreased in recent years. Jamal has been…
"pensive, wistful, melancholic"
A fast rising name in, Asiya jumped into the UK Top 500 for the first time in 2022. Visually similar to the well-known Aaliyah and Aisha, it is popular choice among Muslim parents. As of 2022, Asiya,…
"moist"
The name of a companion of the prophet Muhammad who became the first person to call Muslims to prayer. Bilal is well-used in the US.
Syed is an Arabic male name with deep Islamic significance. Rather than being just a given name, it originated as an honorific title meaning 'master' or 'lord.' The name holds special importance in…
"sky"
Popular in Azerbaijan, a fast-rising choice in England and Wales, and a recent debut to the Netherlands Top 500, Sama is a succinct and gentle Arabic name with the lovely, celestial and nature…
Phonetic spelling of Alicia; also Sanskrit
"protected by God"
This name has two derivations. One is as a member of the well-populated Alice/Alicia family (with an overly literal spelling), which gives it the meaning "noble"; the other is an Urdu name with the…
"ya + sin (two letters of the Arabic alphabet)"
From the Arabic letters ya and sin , which begin the 36th chapter of the Quran (surah Ya Sin).
