Boy character

Also spelled Adel, this name of Arabic origin is also used in Urdu, Turkish, and Persian. It comes from the Arabic root adala meaning "to act justly", linking it to honesty and fairness — aspirational qualities for anyone to possess. It is popular in the Arabic speaking world, and is familiar in the UK and France.

The eleventh brightest star in the sky has a celestial feel, but also could be the name of a commercial airline.

Now that such Old Testament patriarchs as Elijah and Moses fill the playground, Boaz seems downright baby-friendly, having more pizzazz than many of the others, perhaps as a successor to Noah.

Near Eastern name with lots of opportunities for variation and improvisation.

If you're seeking a biblical name somewhat similar to the popular Samuel but way more distinctive, this could be the one.

A name with many spelling variations, including Malek, Melik, and Maliq, Malik is a popular name of Arabic and Semetic origin that is used internationally as both a given name and a surname. In terms of meaning, it can be considered a royal name meaning "king", though other sources suggest it is an alternative transcription of Maalik, making "owner, possessor" a more accurate meaning.

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.

Omar has a perfect mix of unusuality and familiarity, with the added plus of a strong, open initial O. Commonly used among Muslim families, Omar was long associated with twelfth-century Persian poet Omar Khayyam, though it sounds anything but ancient now.

More recent well-known bearers have been World War II General Omar Bradley and actors Omar Sharif(born Michael) and Omar Epps.

Osias has a Latinate and biblical feel without making an appearance in the Bible. The related Ozias, on the other hand, is a form of Uzziah, found in the Greek and Latin Old Testament, and could make a distinctive path to the nickname Oz or Ozzie--both far cooler, in our opinion, than Oswald.

Its most famous bearer was Prince Osman the First, founder of the Ottoman Empire.

In the US, Rashad is one of the most popular and best-known Arabic names, through several sports and entertainment celebrities.

An Arabic name with Quranic connections -- it represents one of the essential qualities -- that would have no trouble assimilating. Sabira or Sabirah is a form used for girls, and Sabri can be used for either sex.

Appealing Indian and Arabic choice.

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.

Zayd (or its most common variant Zaid), an old and still well used Arabic name, was a enslaved man whom Muhammad adopted as his son.