Muslim Names

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.

Farasha is butterfly in Arabic, which means that to English-speakers, it feels more like a soft feminine name and less like a fluttery animal. Pretty without feeling flighty.

A pleasant, welcoming Middle Eastern choice.

A name with the kind of pan-cultural feel that's in vogue now... and forever. A French variant, Marjane, belongs to the author of the iconic graphic memoir Persepolis.

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.

Zaynab, from the Arabic word for beauty and the name of a flowering tree, was the name of a granddaughter, daughter and two wives of the Prophet Muhammed. Related names include the simplified forms Zaina and Zayna and the Swahili-inflected Zainabu, along with possibly Zenobia, a name related to the Greek mythological god Zeus. Zaynab is one of the most popular Muslim girls' names around the world.

A simple and seamlessly international choice with a joyful sound and beautiful meaning.

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.

Name of the last king of Egypt.

A strong Arabic choice with a covetable meaning — one of the most important considerations in the Muslim baby name practice.

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.

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.

Although popular in the Muslim community as representing one of the 99 qualities of God listed in the Quran, this could be confused with the female Camille. It's also common in the West Slavic countries.

This Swahili and Muslim female name referring to the Prophet Muhammed's nurse. It is a popular name in Egypt and Somalia.

Ashura is an Arabic name used predominantly among Swahili speakers in East Africa. It is traditionally given to baby girls born on the holiday Ashura. The holiday is considered celebratory among Sunni Muslims, but a day of mourning — marking the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson — among Shia Muslims.

The Portuguese word for sapphire was formerly a Top 100 name in Portugal.