325+ Arabic Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

  1. Málik
    • Origin:

      Arabic
    • Meaning:

      "lord, master"
    • Description:

      For several years this name ranked high with African-American parents, but it's definitely started to slide.
  2. Ismeal
    • Saladin
      • Origin:

        Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "peace through faith"
      • Description:

        A name with considerable history, as the celebrated sultan of Egypt and Syria in the time of the Crusades.
    • Yasir
      • Origin:

        Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "wealthy, prosperous"
      • Description:

        In this country, very much tied to PLO leader Arafat.
    • Maliq
      • Origin:

        Spelling variation of Malik, Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "king"
      • Description:

        The q-ending of this common name adds a quirky element.
    • Hanif
      • Origin:

        Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "true believer"
      • Description:

        British filmmaker Hanif Kureishi brought this name to the Western world.
    • Hamal
      • Origin:

        Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "lamb"
      • Description:

        Alternative for the ultrapopular Jamal.
    • Naeem
      • Origin:

        Arabic
      • Meaning:

        "benevolent"
      • Description:

        Could present pronunciation problems.
    • Basul
      • Ulima
        • Origin:

          Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "astute, wise"
        • Description:

          Unusual Arabic name with an inspiring meaning for a baby girl.
      • Jala
        • Origin:

          Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "great, illustrious"
        • Description:

          Simple, pretty, and delicate.
      • Siraj
        • Origin:

          Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "light, lamp"
        • Description:

          Worldly and evocative.
      • Shaula
        • Origin:

          Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "raised tail"
        • Description:

          A star in Scorpio whose name would certainly translate into a soft and unusual option for your November baby.
      • Naji
        • Origin:

          Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "safe"
        • Description:

          Spelled Najee, this was chosen by rapper LL Cool J for his son several years ago.
      • Riyad
        • Origin:

          Arabic place-name
        • Meaning:

          "gardens"
        • Description:

          The capital of Saudi Arabia makes a difficult first name.
      • Samar
        • Origin:

          Arabic
        • Meaning:

          "evening conversation"
        • Description:

          This lovely Arabic name is gaining popularity in the US, used equally for boys and girls. Indeed, its sound (it rhymes with the feminine Tamar but ends with the fashionably masculine -ar sound, as in Oscar) and most logical nickname (Sam) make it a choice that's at once accessible and unsual for both boys and girls.
      • Yushua
        • Nadim
          • Origin:

            Arabic
          • Meaning:

            "friend"
          • Description:

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

            Arabic
          • Meaning:

            "pure"
          • Description:

            Attractive name, but it does sound feminine. Some have changed it to Nakari. Although it does not make the U.S. Top 1000, Nakia is among the ten fastest-rising names for both boys and girls.
        • Kamilah
          • Origin:

            Arabic
          • Meaning:

            "perfect"
          • Description:

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