Baby name meanings: meanings for 50 muslim name ideas

Choosing a name for your baby can be a lot of fun. There are many factors behind choosing a name. Some couples choose to stick to their religious or spiritual base and choose names from the Bible, Torah, and Koran etc. Family traditions may dictate the naming of children after relatives. Creative couples may choose non-traditional names such as planets (Venus, Neptune), spices (Sage, Basil) or even seasons (winter, autumn).

Religious names are not exclusive to its members. For couples that place more emphasis on meaning than culture, religious names can provide extra options. Muslim names are heavily based on meanings. The categories of meanings are loosely limited. Male Muslim names reflect dominance, strength and victory. Female Muslim names reflect nature and beauty. Here is a list of some of the more popular Muslim names.

Male and Female Muslim Names

M- Aamir – civilized

F - Aaliyah – tall/ towering

M -Bilal – name of the prophet’s deputy

F - Basaaria - beautiful

F - Chanda – moonlight

M - Diyari – gift or present

F - Dujanah - rain

M - EL- Amin – trustworthy

F - Eliza - apple

F - Faria – kind/ loving

M - Faheen – intelligent

M - Ghazi – warrior

F - Ghizlan - gazelle

M - Hafiz – protector/ guardian

F - Haifa – has a slender beautiful body

M - Ibrahim – a prophet’s name

F - Izma – priviledged/ esteemed

M - Jalil – great / revered

F - Jana – fruits of paradise

M - Kasam – king

M - Kaashif – pioneer/ discoverer

F - Kamaliyah - perfection

M - Lu’ay – shield

F - Lamisah – soft to the touch

M - Malik – master

F - Mahnoor – glow of moon

M - Najid – a helper /a supporter

F - Nadirah – rare/ precious

M - Omar – long lived

F - Omera – great personality

M - Parvez – success

F - Parizah – fairy/ flower

M - Quadir – strong

F - Qindeel - light

M - Raheesh – leader/ chief/ wealthy

F - Raina – peaceful queen

M - Saafir – ambassador/ Handsome

F - Saidah - fortunate

M - Taymur – brave/ strong

F - Tahirah – pure/ chaste

M - Uqbah – end of everything

F - Urshia – belongs in the sky

M - Wajih – noble/ eminent

F - Varisha - lightning

M - Yaman – blessed

F - Wafiza – fresh air

M - Yusuf – Prophet’s name

F - Yara – light butterfly

M - Zaim – leader/ general/one who is demanded

F - Zakiyah – intelligent

One may notice a trend with the female names. Similar to Western names, they tend to end in “a” or with an “a” sound. This may seem natural to westerners, but in Japanese cultures “a” or the “a” sound signifies a male name. Most Muslim names have positive meanings also. This is because the meaning of a name is deemed to forecast one’s life. So it is important to direct one in a good path from the beginning. Prophets and important figures in the Islamic faith serve as namesakes, also.

Unknown to many, some Muslim names have made their way into mainstream America. Most female names have made the transition. Names such as Dina - love, Jasmine – flower, Eliza – apple, Sabrina - river, Nadeen (Nadine) - hope, and Tara – star have crossed cultures. A few male names have crossed over also, such as Omar and Malcolm.

So when looking to choose a baby name, open mindedness brings one more options. A Muslim name is an almost guarantee of a positive name. If meaning is more important than popularity, Muslim names have a lot to offer. Pronunciations are easier than they look on paper. And many names can be shortened for nicknames. Examples are Bilal can be Billy, and Jana can easily be Jan. Open up a world of possibilities and consider a Muslim name.