Muslim Boy Names
- Farouk
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"seer of truth"Description:
Name of the last king of Egypt.
- Youssef
Origin:
Variation of Yusuf, ArabicMeaning:
"Jehovah increases"Description:
This alternate spelling of Yusuf leads the way in Spain, where it is among the 100 most popular baby names. In the US, streamlined Yusuf reigns.
- 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.
- Miraç
Origin:
Variation of Miraj, ArabicMeaning:
"ascent"Description:
Miraç is currently one of the most popular boy names in Turkey. It's a variation of the Arabic name Miraj, which refers to the ascension into Heaven. Both names are predominantly used by Muslim families.
- Aziz
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"powerful and beloved"Description:
This traditional Arabic name, found throughout several other Middle Eastern and African languages and cultures, is one of the 99 names of Allah. Colorful and energetic, it was brought into the realm of crossover possibility via the lively personality of Aziz Ansari, stand-up comic and star of "Master of None" as well as a featured actor on "Parks and Recreation," playing cocky Tom Haverford (born Darwish Sabir Ismael Gani).
- 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.
- Abdullah
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"servant of Allah"Description:
Another Islamic favorite, the father of the Prophet Muhammad.
- Salman
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"safety"Description:
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.
- Zaki
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"full of virtue, pure"Description:
Not related to Zack, Zacky, Zachary, or Zachariah – but many will assume it is.
- 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.
- 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.
- Luay
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"shield; protector"Description:
A smooth and soulful Arabic name that travels well between languages and cultures. Lindsay Lohan chose a variation for her son Luai, born in 2023.
- Anwar
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"brighter, clearer"Description:
Strongly identified with peace-accord-seeking Egyptian president Anwar el-Sadat.
- Ahmad
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"greatly praised"Description:
One of the five hundred plus variations on Muhammad, this is a favorite Muslim choice.
- Ismail
Origin:
Arabic variation of Ishmael, HebrewMeaning:
"God will hear"Description:
This classic, handsome Arabic name — cognate of the Hebrew Ishmael — was chosen by Tan and Rob France for their son born in 2021. Ismail is the preferred spelling in England, Germany, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Turkey, while Ismael ranks higher in countries with native Spanish speakers, including the US.
- Yasir
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"wealthy, prosperous"Description:
In this country, very much tied to PLO leader Arafat.
- Rafiq
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"friend, companion, gentle, kind"Description:
Confident Middle Eastern choice. Children will relate to the Rafiki form via the wise guru in Disney's "The Lion King."
- Mecca
Origin:
Arabic, exact meaning unknownMeaning:
"holy city; temple; place of great importance"Description:
The Islamic prophet Muhammad was born in the city of Mecca, now known as the holiest city in Islam. Officially called Makkah al-Mukarramah, or Makkah, it is located in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Millions of Muslims from across the world make a pilgrimage there each year, while Non-Muslims are understandably not allowed inside the city.
- Abdul
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"servant of Allah"Description:
Widespread choice in the Muslim world, this was the name of both the father of the Prophet Mohammed and one of his sons.
- Zayan
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"handsome, beautifier"Description:
Traditionally spelled as Zayyan, this concise spelling variant is more popular in the English speaking world. Similar in sound and in meaning to the popular, international-feeling Zayn, it ranks in the Top 300 in the UK and in France.