Islamic names: 20 well-known boys' and girls' names

Choosing a name for a child is personal. Some parents look for a name from the Quran or from Islamic history, others focus mainly on meaning, pronunciation or how the name sounds in several languages.

Instead of a ranking of the 'most used' names, below you will find 20 well-known names that are widely recognised in Muslim communities. Popularity differs by country, generation and spelling.

10 well-known girls' names

• Maryam – the name of Maryam, mother of Isa, and the name of a surah in the Quran.
• Amina / Aminah – usually associated with trustworthiness, safety or trust.
• Noor / Nur – means light.
• Fatima – a well-known Islamic name, including that of Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
• Khadija – the well-known name of Khadija, the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
• Aisha / A'ishah – associated with life or being alive.
• Hafsa – a well-known name from early Islamic history.
• Safiya / Safiyyah – a name with several shades of meaning and a well-known name from Islamic history.
• Hana – often translated as happiness or joy.
• Amira – the feminine form of Amir, often translated as princess or female leader.

10 well-known boys' names

• Muhammad / Mohammed – means praised or praiseworthy, and is the name of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
• Ahmad – related to the Arabic root for praise.
• Yusuf – the name of the Prophet Yusuf.
• Ibrahim – the name of the Prophet Ibrahim.
• Adam – the name of the Prophet Adam.
• Bilal – a well-known Islamic name, including that of Bilal ibn Rabah.
• Hamza – a well-known name from Islamic history, including that of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib.
• Zayd / Zaid – associated in Arabic with growth or increase.
• Amir – can mean leader, commander or prince.
• Rayyan / Rayan – associated with being well watered or lush; Ar-Rayyan is also known as the name of a gate of Paradise mentioned in a hadith in connection with those who fast.

Why do you see different spellings?

Arabic names are converted from the Arabic script into the Latin alphabet. That is why several correct or common spellings exist, such as Muhammad, Mohammed and Mohamed, or Aisha and A'ishah.

When choosing, think about how the name will appear officially on documents and which spelling your family prefers.

Check the meaning carefully

Meanings found online are often oversimplified. Some names have several linguistic nuances, and names from older Semitic languages do not always have a simple Arabic translation.

If the precise religious or linguistic meaning is decisive for you, check it with a reliable Arabic-language source or someone who knows the language.

What else can you consider?

• Is the name easy to pronounce in the languages you speak at home?
• Do the meaning and historical associations feel right?
• Which spelling do you want to use consistently?
• Does the name go well with the family name?

For more books and products about family and parenting, see Birth & parenting and Family, marriage & parenting. For English-language reading on family life, have a look at Our Family, Our Legacy by Yasir Qadhi.