Image: Shutterstock
Arabic last names of people are based on their tribe, clan, place, and origin of the family. They may also depend on the minority group of the family. Many Arabic surnames have ‘Al-‘ at the beginning, which means, ‘The-.’ For example, ‘Al-Saud’ will mean ‘The Saud family.’
In Arabic nations, such as Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, the last names also descend from the family profession or business that has run through generations. For example, ‘Al Tajir’ means ‘The Merchant.’
Read on to learn more interesting facts about Arabic surnames. This post has a list of Arabic surnames with their origins and meanings.
Key Pointers
- The Arabian peninsula is considered the world’s largest peninsula, harboring a range of cultures.
- Arabic names are based on several factors, including clan, family origin, place of belonging, and tribe.
- Some examples of unique Arabic names include Amin, meaning ‘trustworthy,’ Faez, meaning ‘victory,’ and Jabal, meaning ‘great night.’
- It is essential to research the Arabian people’s naming traditions and culture well to ensure that you are honoring them while choosing a name for your baby.
Popular Arabic Last Names Or Family Names
Arabic last names have rich histories that go back hundreds of years. Although some are rare, others are widely used today, revealing a family’s origin, ancestry, and cultural background. The following are some of the most commonly used Arabic family names. Read on to find out more about them.
1. Abadi
The surname Abadi runs in the families whose ancestors belonged to the Abbad tribe. It means ‘endless’, ‘eternal’.
2. Abaza
The surname Abaza is related to the native ethnic group Abazin of the Northwest Caucasus. Additionally, the Abaza language is common in the Russian autonomous republic of Karachay-Cherkessia, the Caucasus mountains, and in a few parts of Turkey.
3. Abdallah
The surname Abdallah translates to ‘Servant of God’ in Arabic. Abd stands for servant, and Allah stands for God.
4. Abulafia
The last name Abulafia is also written as Abolafia or Abū l-ʿāfiya in Arabic and means ‘father of health.’ This Sephardic Jewish surname originated in spain.
5. Ahmad
The name in Arabic is translated to ‘the praised one’.
6. Ajam
This surname is also used as Ajami and means ‘mute’. However, the name originally denotes someone who is a non-Arab or one who does not speak Arabic as their mother tongue, and thus also means ‘foreigner.’
7. Ali
The surname Ali means someone ‘high’, ‘lofty’, or a ‘champion’. It was also the name of the fourth caliph of the Islamic world.
8. Amin
The surname means ‘the truthful’ or ‘trustworthy’. The name is usually prefixed with Al, i.e., Al-Amin.
9. Asghar
The name Asghar is derived from Azhar, which means ‘shining’, ‘radiance’, ‘luminosity’, ‘clarity’ or ‘brilliance’.
10. Ayad
The surname Ayad means ‘the hands with power’. The name signifies the blessings, and the power to achieve things in life.
11. Aziz
The surname Aziz in Arabic means ‘the dearest one’. It is often associated with the servant of God who is the dearest, the most precious and devoted. In Hebrew, the name means ‘might’, ‘strength’ and ‘power’. Aziz is one of the 99 names of Allah.
12. Badawi
The last name Badawi is given to children born in the Bedouin tribe. Bedouin are a group of ethnic Arab tribes and clans who live in the desert. Badawi means ‘desert dweller’.
13. Badr
This is an Arabic surname derived from the given name Badr meaning ‘full moon.’ The name finds itself associated with the ecclesiastical full moon which appears on the 14th day of the lunar calendar.
14. Baghdadi
This last name runs in the families who originated from the city of Baghdad in Iraq. One of the meanings of Baghdad is ‘bestowed by God’.
15. Bakir
In Arabic, Bakir means ‘dawn’, ‘early’ or ‘something that happens before the time’.
16. Barakat
This Arabic name is both a given name and a surname. It is derived from the plural form of the name Barak or Barakah which means ‘blessing.’
17. Bashar
Bashar stands for ‘the bringer of good tidings’.
18. Basma
The name Basma, also spelled Basmah, is derived from the Arabic word Basama meaning ‘smile.’ The name Basma is also used as a feminine given name and is most commonly found across Egypt.
19. Bilal
This last name signifies ‘moistness’ or the ‘flow of water’. It also means ‘the victorious one’.
20. Bukhari
This surname is also a given name and is commonly used as Al-Bukhari in Arabic and means ‘one from Bukhara’ (a city in Uzbekistan). This name is common in South Asian countries and is famously associated with an Islamic scholar Muhammad al-Bukhari.
21. Burhan
The last name Burhan is an adjective in Arabic used to describe one of the many qualities of Prophet Muhammed. The name means ‘the one with the proof’ or the ‘knowledgeable one’.
22. Dabbas
The Arabic last name Dabbas means ‘maker or seller of syrup (molasses).’ It is commonly used in Jordan.
23. Darwish
The name Darwish has many meanings in different cultures – Arab, Persian, Hewbrew, etc. Darwish means ‘roaming’, ‘exploring’ or ‘wandering’.
24. Dawoud
Dawoud originated from Hebrew and is an Arabic variation of the English name David. The name is mentioned in the Quran and means ‘a beloved friend’.
25. Din
This last name is a romanization of the Chinese last name Lin, which is predominantly used in the Philippines. The surname Lin means ‘forest’ in Chinese
26. Ebeid
Ebeid is also pronounced as Ubayd. It means ‘the devoted servant of God’ or the ‘worshiper of God.’
27. Fadel
Image: Shutterstock
The surname means ‘virtue’ or ‘someone gracious and divine’.
28. Faez
Faez means ‘victory’. The name is derived from another name Faza, which means ‘the successful and victorious one’. The name is sometimes used as Fayez.
29. Faheem
The surname is masculine in nature and means ‘perceptive’ or ‘intelligent’. The name is mentioned in the Quran as Fahm, which means ‘understanding’.
30. Faizan
Faizan can be spelt in multiple ways. However, in Arabic, the name means ‘the generous one’ or ‘the ruler’.
31. Faris
The last name is a variant of the name Faris meaning ‘horseman’ or ‘knight’ in Arabic. It is most common in Ethiopia.
32. Farahat
The name Farhat has several meanings in different cultures. The name is commonly found in Arab communities originating from Persia. In Arabic, the name means ‘splendor’ and ‘status’.
33. Farouq
Farouq means ‘the redeemer’ or ‘the one who differentiates between the right and wrong’. The surname is often related to families who are the descendants of Umar ib’n al-Khattab, the fourth caliph of the Islamic world.
34. Farsi
The surname is given to children whose families originated from the country of Persia. Farsi means ‘the Persian’.
35. Fasih
The surname Fasih in Arabic means ‘eloquence’. The name is prefixed with Al, i.e., Al-Fasih, which stands for ‘the eloquent one’.
36. Fasil
It means ‘the distinguishing’ or ‘the unique one’. It is often prefixed with Al, i.e., Al-Fasil.
37. Fayed
The surname Fayed in Arabic means ‘the winner’ or ‘the benefiter’.
38. Gaddafi
The surname originated from the Libyan Berber tribe called Qadhadhfa. The name means ‘the archer’ or ‘the thrower’.
Trivia39. Ghazali
The last name Ghazali personifies a ‘philosopher’, ‘saint’ or a ‘mystic person’.
40. Ghazawwi
The surname is usually given to people belonging to the families originating from the city of Gaza in Palestine. It means, ‘the one from Gaza’.
41. Ghulam
Ghulam is a common name in many languages and cultures. The name means the ‘young servant of god’. It signifies devotion to god.
42. Habib
It means ‘beloved’ or ‘friend’. The last name is often used as an honorary title for someone who is respectable. It is a popular surname in the Arab world.
43. Hadi
The name Hadi is derived from one of the 99 names of Allah, Hidayah. The name means the ‘guide to righteousness’.
44. Hadid
The meaning of the surname is ‘iron’. The patronymic name is attached with Al to form a surname, i.e., Al Hadid. The name, when considered as a family name, becomes Al Hadidiy.
45. Hafeez
The name Hafeez means ‘the guardian’ or ‘the protector’.
46. Hakim
It means ‘the healer’ or ‘the doctor’. The name originated from the Arabic title given to doctors and physicians during the middle ages. It is also given to people whose family profession is healing.
47. Halabi
This Jewish locational surname means ‘Aleppine’ in Arabic. It is used to refer to a person from the Syrian city of Aleppo.
48. Hamadani
The surname Hamadani is an Arabic attributive title denoting an origin from the Iranian province of Hamadan. It is derived from the Arabic root word Hamida meaning ‘to praise.’ Thus the name means ‘the praised one.’
49. Hamdi
The surname means ‘praiseworthy’. The name is the Quranic term for persons highly praised by Allah.
50. Harb
This Arabic surname means ‘war.’ A prominent person bearing this last name is Abu Sufyan ibn Harb who was the opponent of Prophet Muhammad and later became one of his companions.
51. Hariri
Image: Shutterstock
The surname is given in families whose profession involves manufacturing and trading silk. The name is extracted from the word Harir, which means ‘silk’.
52. Hashim
The surname is derived from Prophet Mohammed’s great-grandfather. He had the habit of crushing bread before distributing it among the pilgrims. Hence, Hashim means ‘the crusher of bread’.
53. Hasnawi
The surname is also spelled Hasnaoui. The name often runs in families from Algeria.
54. Hassan
This versatile surname is also used as a given name Hasan meaning ‘handsome’ or ‘favorable,’ or ’‘benefactor.’ Hassan enjoys widespread popularity not only within the Arab world and also the Muslim world.
55. Hatem
Hatem is also spelled as Hatim. It means ‘decisive’ and ‘determined’. The surname is very popular in the Arab Muslim world.
56. Hijazi
The surname Hijazi runs in families who originated from the Hejaz region in Saudi Arabia. It means ‘the one from Hejaz’.
57. Hilal
The surname has its origins in Arabic. It is also used as a given name for boys in Arabic and girls in Turkish. The name Hilal means ‘crescent moon.’
58. Hussein
Hussein was the name of the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, the son of Fatimah and Ali (the fourth caliph of the Islamic World). It means ‘to be handsome or beautiful’.
59. Haqq
The surname Haqq, also spelled as Haq, is an Arabic elemental name meaning ‘truth.’ It is often used as the suffix within the last name Al-Haqq due to its association with the Islamic God.
60. Ibrahim
The surname originated from one of the prophets of Islam, Prophet Ibrahim. The name means, ‘the father of all’ or ‘the exalted father’.
61. Iqbal
This popular last name means ‘one with strength’ in Arabic. Several well-known scholars, poets, politicians, and intellectuals have this name.
62. Irfan
Irfan means ‘the one filled with knowledge’. It also means ‘awareness’ and ‘constant learning’.
63. Isa
Isa is an Arabic variant of Jesus and Yasu (Judaism). Isa was one of the prophets who came before Prophet Mohammed. The name means ‘ice’ or ‘iron’. The name can also be used as Iza.
64. Ishak
This Arabic surname is also a given name meaning ‘one who laughs.’ It is predominantly found in Indonesia.
65. Ismat
The name signifies ‘purity’, ‘chastity’, ‘innocence’, ‘perfection’, ‘flawlessness’ and ‘impeccability’. Ismat can also be used as Esmat.
66. Issawi
Issawi means ‘soft’, ‘gentle’ and ‘tender’.
67. Jabal
This last name refers to ‘great height’. Jabal is often associated with a mountain.
68. Jabir
The name has several spellings – Geber, Gabir, Jaber, etc. Jabir means ‘the comforter’.
69. Jalal
The surname appears in the Quran often to describe the greatness of Allah. The name means ‘might’, ‘strength’, ‘power’, ‘glory’ and ‘superiority’.
70. Jameel
Jameel means ‘handsome’ and ‘beautiful’.
71. Jawahir
The last name refers to ‘jewelry’, ‘precious stones’, ‘gold’, and ‘precious metals’.
72. Jaziri
It means ‘self-confidence’ and ‘independence’. The surname personifies a positive and practical personality.
73. Kader
Image: Shutterstock
The surname refers to someone who is ‘capable’. It also means ‘powerful’ and ‘ambitious’.
74. Karim
This surname is also a given name. It means ‘the generous’ and ‘the noble’. It is also one of the 99 names of Allah.
75. Kashif
This last name means the person who discovers, reveals, pioneers or uncovers. The name signifies observance, intellect, and sharpness.
76. Kassab
Kassab refers to the bread-winner or earner of the family.
77. Kazem
The name Kazem has different pronunciations and spellings. The name signifies ‘control over anger’.
78. Khalid
The surname Khalid is also a popular given name for boys. It means ‘eternal’ in Arabic.
Quick fact79. Khayat
Khayat, also spelled as Khayyat, is an Arabic occupational surname that means ‘tailor.’
80. Laghmani
It means the ‘one born at nightfall’. The surname also signifies peace and silence.
81. Maarouf
Maalouf is derived from another word Maayuf, which means the ‘one who stands out in the crowd’.
82. Maamoun
The last name refers to a person notable for their trustworthiness and honesty.
83. Mohammed
The last name Muhammed comes from the last prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammed. The name means ‘praise-worthiness’, and ‘laudability’.
84. Mahmoud
This Arabic surname is derived from the name Muhammed.
85. Malek
This Arabic surname is also spelled as Malik and means ‘king’ or ‘owner’. This name derives from al-Malik which is one of the 99 names of Allah.
86. Marwan
Marwan is derived from the stone Marou, which was used to start a fire in ancient times. The name also signifies ‘leadership and strength’.
87. Mufti
In Arabic, Mufti refers to a ‘legal advisor’ or ‘counselor’. The name originated from the Arabic title given to legal advisors back in the middle ages.
88. Mughrabi
This surname runs in families who speak Magrabi Arabic. The language is spoken by the arab-berber tribes.
89. Mustafa
The name Mustafa is one of the many names given to Prophet Muhammed. The name means ‘the chosen one’ or ‘the appointed one’.
90. Nabih
The name means ‘being aware and vigilant’. It also signifies ‘honor’.
91. Nader
The surname means ‘exceptional’, ‘extraordinary’, ‘unique’ or ‘rarity’.
92. Nagi
The name Nagi or Naji was actually given to Prophet Muhammed for his devotion to Allah. He was called the friend of Allah. Nagi means the ‘closest friend’ in Arabic.
93. Nahdi
Nahdi is a common surname in the Arab world. It means ‘a strong tree’ in Arabic.
94. Najdi
The surname Najdi runs in families who originated in the Najd region in Arabia.
95. Najafi
The surname Najafi is derived from the Arabic word Najafa meaning ‘elevated place.’ The name also means chandelier.
96. Najm
Najm means ‘star’.
97. Najjar
This surname is derived from the profession of carpentry. Al-Najjar means ‘the carpenter’.
98. Noor
Noor means ‘divinity’ or ‘light’. It also personifies outward and inward beauty gained from devotion to god.
99. Othman/ Uthman
Osman means the ‘devoted servant of God’. The name is popular in Arabic and Urdu-speaking countries.
100. Qadir
The name Qadir means ‘competent’, ‘powerful’ or ‘capable’.
101. Qasim
Image: Shutterstock
Qasim is one of the epithets of Prophet Muhammed. The name means ‘the one who distributes’. It can be associated with kindness and charity.
102. Qurashy
The surname is derived from the tribe of Quraish in Makkah in the era of Prophet Muhammed. The Quraish tribe included rich and prosperous businessmen. The last name is given to the descendants of the tribe.
103. Rafiq
Rafiq means a ‘close friend’ ‘companion’ or a ‘follower of God’.
104. Rahim
One of the 99 names of Allah, Rahim means ‘the merciful’ or ‘the forgiving’.
105. Rahman
The last name has its roots in Arabic culture. It means “merciful”, “King”, “gracious,” or “Lord.”
106. Rajab
Derived from the Islamic calendar, Rajab is the seventh month in the calendar and means ‘to respect’.
107. Ramadan
Ramzan or Ramadan is derived from the Islamic calendar and means ‘to be alive’. The month of Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims.
108. Ramzi
The surname means ‘quiet’, ‘reserved’ or ‘demure’. The name also means a ‘sign’ given by Allah.
109. Rashid
This, again, is one of the 99 names of Allah. The name signifies ‘right direction’ and ‘truth’.
110. Rasul
This last name is used both as a given name in Arabic and means ‘prophet’ or ‘messenger.’
111. Reza
The last name Reza means the ‘approval of Allah’. It means that God is content and pleased with the actions and decisions of the followers. The name is most commonly used by the Shia Muslims. It is also a Pakistani last name, however, the Arabic word is Reda.
112. Sader
The name Sader in Arabic means ‘broad-chested’, ‘strength’, ‘courage’ or ‘fore-fronted’.
113. Sojood
Sajjad refers to the ‘devoted worshiper of Allah’.
114. Saleh
This surname means ‘pious’ or ‘virtuous’ in Arabic. Also spelled as Salih, the name is associated with an early Arabian prophet.
115. Thaqqaf
In Arabic, Saqqaf means ‘cleverness’ or ‘intelligence’.
116. Shaaban
The last name Shaban derives from the Arabic word Sha’aba and means ‘scatter,’ ‘dispersion,’ or ‘separation.’ It is associated with the eighth month of the Islamic calendar.
117. Shariq
The surname means the ‘bright shining star’ or ‘a person of exemplary character’. It also means a ‘devoted companion’.
118. Sheikh
This surname commonly signifies a political or spiritual leader of the community and thus means ‘chieftain’ or ‘head.’
119. Sultan
This surname is so common that everyone hears it at some point in their lives. Sultan is a title given to the rulers. It means ‘highness’ or ‘the ruler.’
120. Taleb
Taleb was the name of an uncle of Prophet Muhammed. The surname means a ‘devoted student’ or ‘a seeker of knowledge’.
121. Tawfiq
The name means an opportunity or chance to gain knowledge or succeed in life.
122. Wahed
Wahed is one of the 99 names of Allah. The name means ‘the only one’. It also translates to number one in Arabic.
123. Yasin
Image: Shutterstock
Yasin is one of the chapters in the Holy Quran. The name means ‘wealth’ or ‘richness’. It is also one of the names of the Prophet.
124. Yusuf
Yusuf is a common Arabic, Hebrew, and Aramaic name. The name means ‘god increases’ the strength, power, influence and devotion.
125. Zaman
This name refers to ‘a person of the era, times or age’.
Arabic last names usually represent a clan, tribe, or class that the family belongs to. These names have deep meanings attached to them and are carried on for years as the base representation of a family’s stature in society. It is surprising to know that every Arabic surname has a unique origin. You can explore different names and learn about Arabian culture and expand your knowledge on this spectrum.
Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does bin mean in Arabic last names?
Bin refers to the patronym, i.e., son of. A variant of bin, ibn is also very commonly used in Islam. Bin is often used as a suffix in Arabic last names. For example- Shahid ibn Abdul Kareem, which implies Shahid, son of Abdul Kareem.
2. Can I call a girl Habibi?
Habibi in Arabic refers to someone you love and adore. A girl may be referred to as Habibi by friends, her husband may address her as such, or a loved one may use this word to shower affection on her.
3. Do last names go first in Arabic?
In Arabic, the order of names is typically different from Western naming conventions. The full name in Arabic usually follows the format of a given name, father’s name, and grandfather’s name. The father’s name is often used as a middle name, and the family name appears last. This order is commonly followed in official documents, legal matters, and formal settings.
4. Do Arabs take their husbands’ last names?
The cultural practices and norms regarding last names and marriage vary across Arab countries and communities. In some Arab countries, it is common for women to take their husbands’ last names upon marriage. In contrast, in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, women may retain their family name after marriage.
5. Why do Arabic last names start with Al?
In Arabic, “Al” means “the” and denotes a connection to or possession of something as a prefix to a pronoun. Additionally, many Arabic last names starting with “Al” originally referred to a specific place, tribe, or family, indicating that the person belonged to or originated from that particular group or location.
6. How are Arabic last names traditionally passed down through families?
Arabic last names are generally passed down through the male lineage. Sons will typically carry their father’s family name, maintaining the continuity of the paternal lineage. Daughters, on the other hand, usually adopt their father’s name as part of their full name until they get married. After marriage, it is common for a woman to adopt her husband’s name, replacing her father’s name.
7. How do Arabic last names differ from Western last names?
Unlike common Western last names, Arabic last names often follow a patronymic system, meaning they are derived from the father’s name. Furthermore, Arabic last names sometimes reflect a person’s geographical origin or tribal affiliation and may incorporate honorific titles such as “Al,” denoting a lineage or association.
Infographic: Arabic Last Names
Arabic is spoken widely around the world. In addition, most Arabic last names are a derivative of Islamic culture and familial history. Here is an infographic that documents some famous Arabic last names most commonly used among Muslims worldwide. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Illustration: Common Arabic Last Names Or Surnames With Meanings
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.
Read full bio of Radwa Ahmed
Read full bio of Shikha Thakur
Read full bio of Srija Chanda Burman
Read full bio of Nida Shaikh
