User-created list
By vivi52302 · Updated May 2023
Across 6 pages
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Arabic
"heavens, highborn, exalted"
Alya is most familiar in the US in its much-more-complicated form Aaliyah, the spelling used by the later singer. The traditional name of the star system Theta Serpentis, Alya is also an established…
"happiness"
Farah is a soft and lovely Arabic name, best known here in this original spelling via the last Empress of Iran, Farah Palavi. It's currently a Top 250 name in both France and the Netherlands, which…
Variation of Iman, Arabic
"faith"
Emani is more popular than the original Iman, for girls at least. About 200 baby girls were named Emani in the US last year, while 80 girls were named Iman. Iman is quite gender-neutral, with 60 baby…
Arabic; Italian; Lithuanian
"returning visitor; happy; echo"
Aida is a melodic name largely associated with the title character of the 1871 Verdi opera, an enslaved Ethiopian princess who dies to save her people. In the past, her name was rarely heard outside…
"mountaintop, splendid, brilliant"
One of the most easily imported Arabic names.
"beauty, grace"
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…
"supreme"
Asma is a simple but powerful name, and holds significance in Islamic tradition. Asma was a niece of Muhammad whose refusal to betray her uncle and father helped them escape to Mecca. A very popular…
"high, exalted, praised"
Samiyah hovers near the bottom of the US Top 1000, used expecially by Arab-American and African-American families. Variations include Samiya, Samiah, and Samia.
"beautiful, graceful"
Soft and appealing, with a whiff of vanilla.
"deserts"
A beautiful and evocative place-name that deserves wider use, Sahara brings to mind deserts and heat. Derived from Arabic, it is the name of the world's largest hot desert, located across the North…
"perfect"
An easily adaptable Middle Eastern names, partly because of its similarity to the western Camila, Kamilah has gentle sounds and a bright meaning. It is a feminine form of Kamil, meaning "perfect,…
One of the best-known African names in the Western World because of the Somali-born model and wife of the late David Bowie.
Samiya is a name used by parents of both Arabic and African ancestry. Spelling variations include Samiyah, Samiah, and Samia.
"lucky, fortunate"
This female form of Sa'id is one of several eminently usable Arabic S names.
"good-natured"
Phonetic spelling of the Muslim Aanisah, chosen by singer Macy Gray for one of her daughters.
"a drink of water"
Nahla is a lovely name chosen by Halle Berry for her daughter. Not to be confused with the Disneyfied Nala.
"gazing"
Shy but sultry.
"properous"
Could be some disconnect between spelling and pronunciation.
"friendly"
A pretty and delicate cousin of Anna is often heard in Scotland and is also currently popular in France. In the US it was brought to public attention by child actress Anissa Jones, who played Buffy…
"beloved"
The lilting name of a range of mythical mountains, with an extensive menu of spellings, and a more unusual way of fitting in with current favorites Lila and Lola.
