Beautiful Arabic Baby Names

  1. Jabbar
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "powerful, mighty"
    • Description:

      One of the names of Allah, this name is also associated with basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar (born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr.).
  2. Sahar
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Persian
    • Meaning:

      "dawn, morning, awakening"
    • Description:

      This is a soft and strong Arabic and Persian name commonly heard in the Middle East.
  3. Lamia
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "shining, radiant; throat"
    • Description:

      Lamia is a name with two very different images: from its Arabic roots, it is a bright yet gentle choice with a glowing meaning. As a Greek name however, Lamia appears in mythology as a child-eating monster, who was driven to madness after Zeus's wife Hera took her children away. This latter figure is the inspiration behind the Keats poem of the same name.
  4. 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).
  5. Binyamin
    • Description:

      Binyamin is the traditional Hebrew form of Benjamin, a masculine name with deep biblical roots. In the Hebrew Bible, Binyamin was the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, and the founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name carries rich meaning, traditionally interpreted as "son of the right hand" or "son of the south," symbolizing strength and favor. Widely used in Jewish communities worldwide, Binyamin represents cultural heritage and religious tradition. While Benjamin is more common in Western countries, Binyamin remains the preferred form in Israel and among traditional Jewish families. The name combines historical significance with a timeless quality that has maintained its relevance across centuries.

  6. Talib
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "seeker of knowledge"
    • Description:

      Talib is a North African name with an admirable meaning, associated with rapper Talib Kweli.
  7. Hala
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "moon halo"
    • Description:

      A simple and seamlessly international choice with a joyful sound and beautiful meaning.
  8. 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.
  9. Zahra
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "flower"
    • Description:

      Abbreviated form of Zahara that was used by Chris Rock for his daughter and as a middle name by both Eddie Murphy and David Bowie. Compared with the even-more-abbreviated Zara, Zahra may create more spelling problems but clarify pronunciation.
  10. Hani
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Hawaiian
    • Meaning:

      "happy, contented; move or touch lightly"
    • Description:

      A short, succinct name with a sound as cheerful as its meaning, Hani is an Arabic name that is particularly popular across Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Iraq, and Palestine. Also used as a feminine name in Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, it is sometimes considered a Hawaiian unisex name, meaning "to move lightly", or occasionally a variation of Johann or Johannes.
  11. Suraya
    • Description:

      Suraya is a beautiful feminine name with multicultural origins, primarily from Persian and Arabic languages. It means 'the Pleiades' or 'star cluster,' referring to the constellation. The name has variations across several cultures including Soraya, Thurayya, and Süreyya in Turkish. Suraya carries a sense of celestial beauty and cosmic connection. It has moderate popularity in Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian communities but remains distinctive in Western countries. The name combines elegance with meaningful astronomical symbolism, making it appealing to parents seeking a name with both cultural depth and natural beauty. Its pronunciation (soo-RAY-ah) flows melodically, adding to its appeal.
  12. Rashid
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "righteous, rightly advised"
    • Description:

      This is a widely used Arabic choice — but Rashad is more popular here. Actress Rashida Jones represents the feminine version.
  13. Issa
    • Description:

      Issa is a masculine name with multicultural origins. In Arabic culture, it is the name for Jesus (prophet Isa in Islam) and means 'God is salvation.' It also appears in Slavic languages as a diminutive of names like Isidor. In Japanese, Issa can be a given name meaning 'one tea' or was famously the pen name of the poet Kobayashi Issa. The name's brevity and melodic quality have contributed to its growing international appeal. Issa has gained popularity in recent decades, especially in Muslim communities and among parents seeking short, meaningful names with cross-cultural significance. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across different languages, adding to its global accessibility while maintaining cultural richness.

  14. Zainab
    • Origin:

      Variation of Zaynab
    • Description:

      Zainab—the name of a flowering tree and of a granddaughter, daughter, and two wives of the Prophet Muhammed—was a newcomer to the US Top 1000 in 2013. While simplified variations Zaina or Zayna are more Western-friendly, neither makes the US list.
  15. Salim
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "safe"
    • Description:

      Distinguished by association with renowned African diplomat Salim Ahmed Salim, this name is popular in many variations throughout the Arab world. Its use is growing in the US as well, especially in its Salem version.
  16. 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.
  17. Muna
    • Description:

      Muna is a feminine name with origins in multiple cultures, giving it a rich, cross-cultural appeal. In Arabic, Muna (منى) means 'wish' or 'desire,' symbolizing something precious and hoped for. In Swahili and other East African languages, it carries meanings of 'hope' or 'gift.' The name also appears in Old Norse mythology as a river deity. Muna's brevity and melodic quality make it accessible across language barriers, contributing to its growing international usage. The name has gained modest popularity in recent decades, particularly in multicultural communities. Its positive connotations, easy pronunciation, and cross-cultural nature make Muna an increasingly attractive choice for parents seeking a name that's both meaningful and globally accessible.
  18. Sa'id
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "lucky, happy"
    • Description:

      A popular name in the Arab community, with an upbeat meaning.
  19. Zaki
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "full of virtue, pure"
    • Description:

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

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "the honorable one"
    • Description:

      Long associated with Egyptian-born actor/bridge expert Omar Sharif, also a title bestowed on descendants of Muhammad.

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