325+ Arabic Names (with Meanings and Popularity)

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

Capella, the eleventh brightest star in the sky, carries much mythological and astrological significance. In Roman mythology, Capella represented the goat that suckled Jupiter, whose horn became the Cornucopia or horn of plenty. In Hindu mythology, Capella is called the heart of Brahma, while English legend calls it the shepherd's star. Australian Aboriginal myth calls it the kangaroo, while in Persian mythology it's a metaphor for both great distance and the color light red. Astrologically, Capella symbolizes wealth and military honor. As if that wasn't enough, CapPella (two p's) also has a musical reference to a cappella singing.

Sabik, a star in Ophiuchus, makes for a rather harsh-sounding name. If you're looking skyward for a baby name, you'd do better with Orion or Jupiter. But if you are searching for names that mean new beginnings, this is one unusual choice.

Phonetic spelling of the Muslim Aanisah, chosen by singer Macy Gray for one of her daughters.

Sami is cute if overused in its more familiar Sammy form.

Asma is an important name in the Muslim religion. Asma was a niece of Muhammad whose refusal to betray her uncle and father helped them escape to Mecca. Downside in English-speaking countries is that Asma sounds like asthma, the illness that blocks airways and makes it difficult to breathe.

The M and the R add welcome strength.

Salman is an Arabic name dating back to Salman the Persian, one of Muhammad's companions. In this country it is strongly associated with Anglo-Indian novelist Salman Rushdie, author of The Satanic Verses.

A beautiful and evocative place-name that deserves wider use.

Extremely simple and extremely distinctive -- a winning combination. Sound-alike Calla is a Greek (and botanical) name that means beautiful.

This name belongs to the eponymous heroine of Rossini's opera; 'Zelmira' (1822) about a (fictional) princess of Lesbos who saves her father and husband and her kingdom.

Kahlil, spelled in various ways, was first brought into the American consciousness by the poet Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet.

Pretty and feminine Muslim name popular in Egypt.

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

The Prophet Muhammad's first wife and the first convert to Islam, and a very popular name in the Muslim community. It ranks in the Top 200 girls' names in France, Italy and England & Wales (alongside variant Khadijah just below the Top 200).

Widespread choice in the Muslim world, this was the name of both the father of the Prophet Mohammed and one of his sons.

Short form of the name Anglicized as Saladin, very popular throughout the Arab world.

The feminine form of Amir, a soft and regal baby name popular in the Muslim community.

Shy but sultry.

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.