325+ Arabic Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

One of the most adaptable of the Middle Eastern names, partly because of its similarity to the western Camilla.

The Arabic name Idrissa is related to the more common form Idris, which is the name of a Quranic prophet usually equated with the biblical Enoch). Idrissa is more commonly seen in North and Western Africa. Idrissa Gueye, the Senegalese footballer who plays for Aston Villa in the UK, is probably the most famous person with this name.

Nature girl played by Audrey Hepburn in "Green Mansions," it now has an old-style bohemian feel.

Jamir is a modern invention, based on traditional Arabic names like Jamal and Amir.

Rare and rhythmic.

Technically a boy's name, but certainly one that would work in the Western culture for a girl, especially after the release of Black Panther, in which it was the name of Lupita Nyong'o's fiery character. Nakia lies outside the Top 1000 but is among the fastest-rising names for both girls and boys.

Alzira found its highest degree of popularity in the mid-nineteenth century after Giuseppe Verdi created an opera of the name Alzira, after its romantic heroine. Despite Verdi using the name for a Peruvian princess, Alzira is an arabic name Verdi's opera, despite the name's arabic roots, the name was given to a Peruvian princess. Alzira is also the name of a Spanish city in Valencia.

Worldly and evocative.

A strong name with a strong meaning, like its cousin Zafir.

Confident Middle Eastern choice. Children will relate to the Rafiki form via the wise guru in Disney's "The Lion King."

Raja is a widely-used Arabic or Sanskrit name that works for girls as well as boys. Five baby girls were named Raja and seven given the Rajah spelling in the US last year, where for boys the popularity of the spellings was reversed: 18 Raja to ten Rajah.

Pretty and feminine Arabic name.

Intriguing David alternative, though American tongues will have trouble wrapping themselves around three vowels in a row.

Kadir is derived from Qadir (many Arabic K names are phonetic versions of Q-starting names); a classic Muslim name reflecting one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah.

Friendly option: has also been defined as "drinking companion".

Well used in the Arabic world, as is the related Aditya.

Appealing in part because of its similarity to the likable Omar.

Both an independent name and an alternate spelling of Jada.

Strong cross-cultural name that could be a feminine spin on the Zachary family.

Tahira is a pretty Arabic virtue name, unusual yet accessible.