Arabic Names that Start With A

A pretty and delicate cousin of Anna is often heard in Scotland and is also currently popular in France. In the US it was brought to public attention by child actress Anissa Jones, who played Buffy on the popular TV show Family Affair, which debuted in 1966, bringing her name onto the charts the following year. Born Mary Anissa, her middle/stage name reflected her Lebanese heritage.

The brightest star in Ursa Major, this is one of the major navigational stars used by ships.

Aza's similarity to the biblical name Asa makes it ripe for adaptation. If you want something more elaborate, you might consider Azariah. Something simpler? It doesn't get much simpler and that is the beauty of Aza (or Asa).

Abdullah is an alternative transcription of the name Abd Allah, which translates to "servant of Allah". Popular across throughout the Muslim world, it ranks in the Turkish Top 100 and the UK Top 200.

Earthier version of the name of England's first female professional writer, Aphra Behn.

Adhara is the name of one of the brightest stars in the sky. Also known as Adara, this name is perfectly suitable for a child.

Bright and bold traditionally masculine name used in Israel.

Fashion designer surname that could make a dynamic first.

This variation of Ahmad is one of the most popular Arabic names among Muslim families the world over and is now the most used spelling in the USA. It shares the same root as other popular Arabic names, including Muhammad and Hamid.

Amin is a simple but strong name with a solid meaning. It was borne by the sixth Abbasid caliph, a ruler of the Abbasid Muslim Empire in the 9th century, a descendant of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.

A rarely heard name that was the title of a hugely popular Big Band song in the forties. Amapola, with the emphasis on the third syllable, is one flower name that has not been widely discovered.

Related to Amir and Amira, an antiquated name that holds some modern appeal.

Adnan in the Muslim religion was an ancestor of Muhammad. More recently, the name was introduced to many Westerners via Adnan Syed, the young man at the center of the sensational Serial podcast.

We can't pretend that this name is not indelibly linked to the Disney's eponymous character, at least in the USA; but it's not a negative connotation and may appeal to you. Bosnian variation Aldin may be more wearable in the US, though.

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

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.

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

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

Simple and melodic, this spelling offers an alternative to the more-popular Aliyah or Aaliyah -- the name of the late R&B singer who propelled the name into the US Top 100.

Spelled this way, Adine could be a relative of either the Irish Aideen, which means jealousy, or the Arabic Adina, meaning slender. We'll go with the slender.