Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
There’s no dearth of inspiration when it comes to Arabic baby names. While some parents look up to their family tree, others pick the name of their favorite television or movie character. However, many Arabs like to stick to their culture when selecting a baby name. As Carlyle had said, giving a name is a poetic art. Arabs do not just look for meanings in names. They are also particular about how the name sounds and if the syllables flow well or not. They want a name that rolls mellifluously from the tongue and has elements that fit well with each other. Yes, everything is taken into consideration while naming in the language of the angels, Arabic. Arab names also come in two versions, which are pre and post-Islam. The pre-Islamic names were usually derived from nature, vocabulary words, or occupation. Some pre-Islamic names also reflect personal characteristics. Celestial aspects such as the moon and stars also play a major part in Arabic baby names. The post-Islamic names are influenced by 99 attributes of Allah and Islam, and the variations of the name Muhammad are also considered. And almost all Arabic names have Arabic words. An Arab usually has one personal name which could be a single name or a compound name. Generally, the first son is named after his paternal grandfather. The second son is named after the maternal grandfather, and the third son after the father. On the other hand, the eldest daughter in the family is named after the maternal grandmother. The second daughter is named after the paternal grandmother and the third daughter after the mother. They also use the adages of ibn or bin for boys and bint for girls to denote “son of” or “daughter of” (1). Millennial parents are also considering Angelized forms of names nowadays. Read on to find our extensive database of Arabic boy names and Arabic girl names with meanings.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Zubaidah |  |  Girl | Beautiful or adorned in Arabic |
| Zubair | | Girl | Excellence, bravery, strength |
| Zubayr | |  Boy | Strong and powerful |
| Zuehb | | Boy | Clever-minded; Brilliant; Smart; Intelligent |
| Zuha | | Girl | Forenoon, or the time between sunrise and noon |
| Zuhaib | | Boy | Light or brightness |
| Zuhair | | Boy | Bright; Radiant; Brilliant |
| Zuhaira | | Girl | Radiant, luminous, beautiful |
| Zuhayr | | Boy | Little flower |
| Zuhr | | Girl | Light; Brilliance; The first three nights of the lunar month |
| Zuhrah | | Girl | Brightness |
| Zuhriyyah | | Girl | The Arabic word for flower vase |
| Zukaurrahman | | Boy | Son of Rahman; Son of Allah; God's gifted child |
| Zul | |  Unisex | Master; Owner |
| Zulaika | | Girl | Brilliantly bright; Radiant |
| Zulaikha | | Girl | Brilliant; Radiant; Beautiful |
| Zulay | | Boy | Radiant and beautiful |
| Zuleika | | Girl | Beauty and grace |
| Zuleima | | Girl | Radiant beauty or shining brilliance |
| Zulekha | | Unisex | Radiant, beautiful, blessed |
| Zulema | | Girl | Radiant, bright, unique |
| Zulemah | | Girl | Peace; Tranquility; Quiteness; A variant of Solomon |
| Zuleyma | | Girl | Beautiful, unique, blessed |
| Zulfa | | Girl | Closest; Nearest |
| Zulfah | | Girl | Nearness, Closeness; One who is very dear; The first part of the night; A variant of Zulfa |
| Zulfikar | | Boy | Name of the legendary sword of Ali |
| Zulfiqar | | Boy | Cleaver of the spine; Name of the Prophet Muhammad's sword; Name of the legendary sword of Ali ibn Abi Talib |
| Zuli | | Unisex | Brilliant; Ahead; Forward-thinking |
| Zuljalal | | Boy | One who is blessed with might and glory |
| Zulkifl | | Boy | Name of one of the prophets mentioned in the Quran |
| Zulla | | Girl | Shade of trees |
| Zulqarnain | | Boy | Two-horned or possessor of two horns |
| Zuly | | Girl | Healthy; Vigorous |
| Zumar | | Girl | A group or throngs of people |
| Zumurrud | | Girl | Emerald or precious stone |
| Zunair | | Boy | Gift of God |
| Zunaira | | Girl | Beauty, elegance, uniqueness |
| Zunairah | | Unisex | Radiant light |
| Zunaisha | | Unisex | Graceful, charming, beautiful |
| Zuwayhir | | Boy | Radiant and luminous |
| Zuwena | | Girl | Good |
| Zya | | Unisex | Illuminate; Light |
| Zyah | | Unisex | Beautiful; Bright; Shining |
| Zyair | | Unisex | River |
| Zyan | | Boy | Strength, wisdom, shining |
| Zyana | | Girl | Gift of God; Forever |
| Zyla | | Unisex | Shadow; Shade |
| Zyrah | | Unisex | Beauty; Flower |
Arabic is a beautiful language, and so are Arabic names. Arabic names are among the most adorable names in the world, thanks to their captivating sound and poetic appeal. They are gaining popularity in the Western world such as the US and the UK too. These names encompass a variety of meanings including nature, celestial beings, landscapes, occupation, and place of living. Arabic baby names inspired by Islam are often given in praise of Allah. Arabs also usually prefer to use the names of their ancestors to name their babies. So browse the list and take your pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Arabic baby names mean ‘gift?
Ata is a common Arabic name that means 'gift.' Ataullah is another prevalent name that comes from the combination of two terms, ata, meaning 'gift' and Allah, and means 'gift of God.' Some more Arabic names with similar connotations include Atiya, Hadiyya, Hiba, Ihab, and Nawal.
2. What is the Arabic baby name for miracle?
Ahya and its forms Aya and Ayah mean 'miracle' in Arabic. An Ayah makes up chapters in the Surah and is also a name referring to a verse in the Quran.
3. What Arabic name means happiness?
Nuzhat is an Arabic name that means 'happy.' Raghda is another name that refers to 'pleasant' or 'happy life' in Arabic. Other names that share similar meanings or connotations include Sadun (joyful), Saeida (happy), Suaidah (cheerful), Tasaad (she becomes happy), and Zahuk (laughs frequently).
4. What do common Arabic baby names like Mohammed and Fatima mean?
Mohammed is an Arabic name that is a spelling variant of the more popularly used Muhammad and means 'praised,' 'commendable,' or 'the praiseworthy.' On the other hand, Fatima is a spelling variant of the popularly used name Fatimah, which means 'to abstain.'
5. What are some Arabic baby names that have been used for centuries?
Some Arabic baby names that have stood the test of time include Muhammad (praiseworthy), Aaliyah (of high status), Amina (honest or faithful), and Zara (sublime).
6. What restrictions or guidelines should be followed when naming a baby in Islamic culture?
A few of the restrictions or guidelines you should keep in mind when naming a baby in Islamic culture is that it is forbidden to name a child with a name that denotes servitude to anyone other than Allah. Choosing names particularly used by non-Muslims, such as George, Michael, or Susan, is also forbidden. Titles that have belonged to tyrants and evil personalities should be avoided. Finally, it is also not advisable to name the child after the chapters of the Quran.
Infographic: Attractive Arabic Baby Names With Meanings
Arabic baby names are gaining popularity not only in Arab countries but also in the Western world. These names have beautiful meanings related to nature, religion, or traits. The infographic below presents some interesting Arabic names along with meanings to help you choose the best name for your bundle of joy.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References:
- Arabic Personal Names.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Arabic_Personal_Names
