Muslim Boys' Names
The most popular names relate to Muhammad, his family, or one of his revered traits, as well as desirable attributes and qualities.
What's in a Name
Muhammad taught his followers that children should be given good names and that parents should avoid giving meaningless names and ones that have unsavory connotations.
Misnomers
Many Muslims feel that changing or abbreviating traditional Islamic names – in other words, "westernizing" them – dilutes the meaning of the name and distorts its Islamic connotation. Obviously, this happens quite a bit, but it's a factor to keep in mind should you be working with names from this particular pool.
- Abdul: This name, which means "servant," appears in many compound forms, including Abdul-Aleem ("servant of the omniscient"), Abdul-Rasheed ("servant of the rightly guided"), Abdul-Azeez ("servant of the mighty or powerful"), and Abdul-Raouf ("servant of the most merciful").
- Aasim: "Protector."
- Abdullah: "Servant of God."
- Abu Bakr: The companion of the prophet Muhammad.
- Ahmad: "Commendable" or "praiseworthy."
- Ali: "Noble" or "excellent."
- Ameen: "Faithful," "trustworthy."
- Azhar: "Luminous" or "brightly shining."
- Faakhir: "Excellent" or "proud."
- Fadi: "Redeemer."
- Fadl: "Honorable."
- Faisal: "Decisive."
- Ghaazi: "Conqueror."
- Haamid: "Praising God" or "loving God."
- Haashim: "Generosity."
- Hassan: "Beautiful."
- Hussein: "Beautiful."
- Ibraheem: Arabic version of Abraham.
- Imaad: "Support" or "pillar."
- Ismaael: As explained in Old Testament Boys' Names, Ishmael, was the fellow who was thrown out of Abraham's home. He's also considered a prophet in Islam.
- Jamaal: "Beauty."
- Jameel: "Beautiful."
- Kamal: "Perfection."
- Kareem: "Generous" or "noble."
- Khaleel: "Friend."
- Khalid: "Eternal."
- Mufeed: "Useful."
- Muhammad: The name of the prophet; "praised."
- Muneer: "Shining" or "beautiful."
- Mustafa: "Chosen" (another name for the prophet Muhammad).
- Naadir: "Rare" or "dear."
- Nabeel: "Noble."
- Naeem: "Comfort" or "tranquil."
- Omar: "Long life."
- Qasim: "Divider."
- Qudamah: "Courage."
- Rafee: "Kind friend."
- Rashad: "Integrity."
- Saad: "Good luck."
- Talal: "Admirable."
- Waahid: "Unequaled" or "singular."
- Yaaseen: "Chosen" (another name for the prophet Muhammad).
- Yoosuf: A prophet's name.
- Zaafir: "Victorious."
- Zaahir: "Shining," "bright."
There are many girls' names as well in the Muslim tradition.
Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baby Names © 1999 by Sonia Weiss. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
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