Muslim Boy Names
- Ayman
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"righteous, right-handed, blessed, lucky"Description:
Handsome Arabic name that is well-used internationally. Ayman is a Top 500 name in the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Italy, and a Top 100 name in Spain. It could very easily be borne by an American child.
- Musa
Origin:
Arabic, Turkish, and Persian form of MosesDescription:
With its gentle but solid sounds, Musa is a name that feels both dignified and energetic. The Arabic, Turkish, and Persian form of Moses, Musa is popular internationally, from The Netherlands to Turkey to The UK.
- Sahil
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"guide, leader"Description:
A name that could set an Indian boy on a path to leadership.
- Miraj
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"ascent"Description:
Miraj's meaning of "ascent" is a reference to the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad into Heaven, making this a very important Muslim name.
- Yahir
Origin:
Hebrew and ArabicMeaning:
"he will enlighten"Description:
This Hebrew and Arabic name hit the US Top 300 in 2004 via an unusual inspiration: A Mexican pop singer and telenovela star known simply as Yahir. The star was named after a Brazilian soccer player.
- Zain
Origin:
Variation of Zayn, ArabicMeaning:
"beauty, grace"Description:
Zayn and the more Western-friendly Zain sound exactly like the popular Zane but have a different root, in Arabic and African cultures. The name was made familiar to Europeans and Americans by British singer-songwriter Zayn, born Zain Malik. This is an easily-translated choice for a family that wants to bridge cultures, but you have to accept that people will be forever spelling the name "wrong".
- Ahmed
Origin:
Arabic "greatly praised"Meaning:
"greatly praised"Description:
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.
- Aayan
Origin:
Persian or ArabicMeaning:
"long night; era"Description:
A common name in the Muslim community, where it may be a Persian name or a variation of Ayan, a name with a timely meaning.
- Hassan
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"handsome"Description:
Hassan is among the more familiar Arabic choices, and also one with an attractive meaning. It has appeared in the US Top 1000 every year since 1971.
- Kamran
Origin:
Persian or UrduMeaning:
"prosperous or successful"Description:
Kamran is one of the most easily-translated boys' names from a Middle Eastern to a Western culture, sounding nearly identical to the stylish English name Cameron. While it is not an Islamic name, Muslims are allowed to use it because its meaning is felicitous.
- Zaki
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"full of virtue, pure"Description:
Not related to Zack, Zacky, Zachary, or Zachariah – but many will assume it is.
- Yusuf
Origin:
Arabic variation of Joseph, HebrewMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
In the US, Yousef is a less commonly used spelling.
- Osman
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"baby bustard"Description:
Its most famous bearer was Prince Osman the First, founder of the Ottoman Empire.
- Zidane
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"growth and progress"Description:
Closely associated with French soccer star Zinedine Zidane, who became the manager of Real Madrid after retiring from play. One of the Arabic names for boys with modern rather than Quranic origins.
- Hakeem
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"judicious"Description:
Muhammad approved all ninety-nine attributes of Allah as worthy names, and this is one of the most popular. It was in the US Top 1000 for the first time since 1998 in 2016, when it was one of the 10 fastest-rising boys' names. Perhaps the most well known person in America with the name is former Houston Rockets center and Basketball Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.
- Eissa
Origin:
Arabic variation of JesusMeaning:
"savior"Description:
Eissa, a name found frequently as both a last and a first in Arabic lands, is the Arabic form of Jesus. Also spelled Isa, Issa, and Esa, Eissa came to greater prominence when it was chosen for their newborn son by singer Janet Jackson and her husband Wissam Al Mana, who is Qatari.
- Haris
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"estate ruler; cultivator"Description:
Haris is in the top 50 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and makes a good choice for the globetrotting child. It would make for an excellent and not overused Arabic-English crossover choice.
- Faris
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"rider, knight"Description:
A great uncommon English-Arabic crossover choice, easily pronounceable internationally.
- Mohamed
Origin:
Spelling variation of MuhammadDescription:
This variation of the popular Arabic name has now been in the Top 500 for several years. It wasn't even in the Top 1000 before the 1980s.
- Farouk
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"seer of truth"Description:
Name of the last king of Egypt.