250+ Muslim Baby Boy Names with Meanings (2026)

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Naming a Muslim baby boy is rarely a casual decision. In Islamic tradition, a child’s name is considered one of the first gifts a parent gives — a word the child will hear in the adhan whispered into his ear at birth and carry through every prayer of his life. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said that the best names are those that praise God or describe servitude to Him, which is why so many of the names on this list begin with Abd- (servant of) or end with attributes of the Divine.

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Popularity below is calculated from Social Security Administration data through 2024, the most recent year on record.

Here’s what’s in store –

Names of the Prophets and Messengers

Names from the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah (with Abd-)

Names That Mean Light, Sun, and Brightness

Persian and Mughal-Influenced Names

Turkish and Ottoman-Era Names

Strong Companion and Caliph Names

Names of Virtues and Beautiful Qualities

South Asian Muslim Favorites

Modern Crossover Names That Travel Well

But Muslim names are also wonderfully diverse. The faith stretches from Morocco to Indonesia, from the steppes of Central Asia to the markets of Lagos, and the names below reflect that geography. You’ll find classical Arabic names rooted in the Qur’an, Persian poetry-soaked names borrowed by Mughal emperors, Turkish names polished by centuries of Ottoman court life, and modern crossover choices that work beautifully in Western settings.

I’ve organized the names by theme rather than alphabet — names of the prophets, names that mean light, names beloved across South Asia, gentle names that travel well — so you can browse by feeling rather than scrolling endlessly. Each name includes its meaning, its cultural origin, and a quick note on how it actually sounds when spoken aloud or who has carried it well.

Take your time. The right name often announces itself.

Names of the Prophets and Messengers

These are the most universally loved Muslim names, drawn directly from the Qur’an. They carry weight, history, and a built-in connection to a story every Muslim child grows up hearing. You truly cannot go wrong here.

Muhammad

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: moo-HAH-mid · muˈhɑːmɪd
Meaning: praised, commendable
Popularity: #245 and rising (#272 → #245, 2024)

Statistically the most given name on earth; the Prophet himself, and a name that signals devotion in any language.

Ahmad

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ah-MAHD · ɑːˈmɑːd
Meaning: most praiseworthy
Popularity: #669 and rising (#685 → #669, 2024)

A softer cousin of Muhammad, drawn from the same root *h-m-d*; gentle but unmistakably classical.

Ibrahim

Origin: Arabic (Quranic form of Abraham)
Pronunciation: ib-rah-HEEM · ˌɪbrəˈhiːm
Meaning: traditionally glossed ‘father of many/multitudes’
Popularity: #359 and rising (#411 → #359, 2024)

The patriarch shared across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — a heavyweight name with cross-cultural ease.

Ismail

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: iss-mah-EEL · ɪsmɑːˈiːl
Meaning: God will hear
Popularity: #1,228 and rising (#1,398 → #1,228, 2024)

Ibrahim’s son; popular across the Arab world and increasingly used in Europe as Ismaël.

Ishaq

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ees-HAHK · ɪsˈhɑːk
Meaning: he laughs
Popularity: #3,060 and falling (#3,021 → #3,060, 2024)

Quietly used but beautiful — a name with built-in joy.

Yusuf

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: YOO-soof · ˈjuːsuːf
Meaning: form of Joseph (Hebrew ‘he/God will add’); also a Quranic prophet’s name and the 12th sura of the Quran
Popularity: #475 and rising (#493 → #475, 2024)

Yaqub

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: yah-KOOB · jaʕˈquːb
Meaning: he follows or supplanter
Popularity: #2,988 and rising (#3,051 → #2,988, 2024)

Strong, biblical, and increasingly chosen by parents who want a Qur’anic name with European recognition.

Musa

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: MOO-sah · ˈmuːsɑː
Meaning: Arabic/Islamic form of Moses, traditionally glossed ‘drawn out of water’
Popularity: #525 and rising (#653 → #525, 2024)

The prophet Moses; short, ancient, and rising fast in the UK and US.

Harun

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: hah-ROON · hæːˈruːn
Meaning: high mountain or exalted
Popularity: #2,341 and rising (#2,448 → #2,341, 2024)

Musa’s brother; a kind, dependable-sounding name that pairs well with English last names.

Dawud

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: dah-WOOD · dɑːˈwuːd
Meaning: beloved
Popularity: #2,877 and falling (#2,810 → #2,877, 2024)

The prophet-king famed for his beautiful voice; sometimes spelled Dawood or Daud.

Sulaiman

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: soo-lay-MAHN · suːleɪˈmɑːn
Meaning: peaceful
Popularity: #1,541 and falling (#1,500 → #1,541, 2024)

The wise king Solomon; regal and a touch romantic.

Yunus

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: YOO-noos · ˈjuː.nʊs
Meaning: dove
Popularity: #1,464 and falling (#1,438 → #1,464, 2024)

The prophet swallowed by the whale; a gentle, less-common pick.

Isa

Origin: German/Dutch (short form of Isabel); also Arabic (form of Jesus)
Pronunciation: EE-suh · ˈiːsə
Meaning: as a short form of Isabel, ‘pledged to God’; as the Arabic name for Jesus (used by Muslims), linked to the idea of ‘God saves’
Popularity: #1,029 and rising (#1,188 → #1,029, 2024)

Revered in Islam as a prophet; a short, soft name with deep meaning.

Idris

Origin: Welsh / Arabic (dual origin)
Pronunciation: ID-ris · ˈɪdrɪs
Meaning: Welsh: traditionally glossed ‘ardent/fiery lord’; Arabic: tied to a root meaning ‘to study’, associated with the prophet Idris (identified with Enoch)
Popularity: #739 and rising (#790 → #739, 2024)

The prophet associated with knowledge and the first to write with a pen.

Ilyas

Origin: Arabic (Quranic form of Hebrew Elijah)
Pronunciation: il-YAHSS · ɪlˈjɑːs
Meaning: my God is the LORD (via the prophet Elijah)
Popularity: #1,252 and rising (#1,253 → #1,252, 2024)

The prophet Elijah; warm and increasingly popular in France and the UK.

Nuh

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: NOOH · nuːħ
Meaning: rest or comfort
Popularity: #3,490 and rising (#5,191 → #3,490, 2024)

The prophet of the ark; a tiny three-letter name with enormous resonance.

Zakariya

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: zak-ə-REE-yə · ˌzækəˈriːjə
Meaning: God has remembered
Popularity: #1,202 and rising (#1,345 → #1,202, 2024)

Father of Yahya (John the Baptist); melodic and underused.

Yahya

Origin: Arabic (Qur’anic)
Pronunciation: YAH-yah · ˈjɑːjɑː
Meaning: the Qur’anic name for the prophet identified with the biblical John the Baptist; exact Arabic root debated, sometimes linked to ‘to live’
Popularity: #706 and rising (#881 → #706, 2024)

The prophet John; rhythmic and increasingly chosen for its sound.

Salih

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: SAH-lih · ˈsɑːlɪ
Meaning: virtuous, pious, and upright
Popularity: #4,394 and rising (#5,210 → #4,394, 2024)

The prophet sent to the people of Thamud; a name that doubles as a character description.

Hud

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: HOOD · huːd
Meaning: Praised
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The prophet sent to the people of ‘Aad; one of the shortest prophetic names.

Shuayb

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: shoo-AYB · ʃuːˈeɪb
Meaning: little branch or small community
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The prophet who was father-in-law to Musa; uncommon and distinctive.

Lut

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: LOOT · luːtˤ
Meaning: Covering, veil
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A brief, ancient prophetic name.

Adam

Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: AD-um · ˈædəm
Meaning: man; earth/ground
Popularity: #100 and rising (#103 → #100, 2024)

The first man; a perfect crossover name that reads as both Western and unmistakably Muslim.

Names from the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah (with Abd-)

In Islamic tradition, naming a child Abd followed by one of God’s 99 attributes is considered among the most beloved patterns. The prefix means “servant of,” tying the child’s identity directly to a particular divine quality.

Abdullah

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-DOOL-uh · æbˈdʊlə
Meaning: servant of God
Popularity: #781 and falling (#773 → #781, 2024)

The single most classical Muslim name; the Prophet’s own father bore it.

Abdulrahman

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-ruh-MAHN · æbduːlrəˈmɑːn
Meaning: servant of the Most Gracious
Popularity: #1,706 and falling (#1,661 → #1,706, 2024)

Often shortened to Rahman or Abdu; deeply traditional.

Abdulrahim

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-ruh-HEEM · æbduːlrəˈhiːm
Meaning: servant of the Compassionate
Popularity: #10,907 and falling (#8,259 → #10,907, 2024)

A softer-sounding partner to Abdulrahman.

Abdulaziz

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-uh-ZEEZ · æbduːləˈziːz
Meaning: servant of the Almighty
Popularity: #2,546 and falling (#2,507 → #2,546, 2024)

Strong and royal-feeling, common in the Gulf.

Abdulkarim

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-kuh-REEM · æbduːlkəˈriːm
Meaning: servant of the Generous
Popularity: #8,295 and falling (#6,893 → #8,295, 2024)

A name that quietly compliments its bearer.

Abdulhakim

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ahb-dool-hah-KEEM · æbduːlhæˈkiːm
Meaning: servant of the All-Wise
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Studious and dignified.

Abdulmalik

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-muh-LEEK · æbduːlməˈliːk
Meaning: servant of the King
Popularity: #4,871 and rising (#5,072 → #4,871, 2024)

Regal; popular among West African Muslim communities.

Abdulqadir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-kah-DEER · æbdʊlkɑːˈdɪər
Meaning: servant of the Capable
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Tied to the great Sufi saint Abdul Qadir Jilani.

Abdulhaq

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ahb-dool-HUK · æbduːlˈhæk
Meaning: servant of the Truth
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Philosophical and rare.

Abdulghani

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ahb-dool-gah-NEE · æbduːlɡæˈniː
Meaning: servant of the Self-Sufficient
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Distinguished and a bit poetic.

Abdulwahid

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-wah-HEED · æbdʊlwɑːˈhiːd
Meaning: servant of the Unique One
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Emphasizes Islam’s core monotheism.

Abdulbasit

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ahb-dool-BAH-sit · æbduːlˈbɑːsɪt
Meaning: servant of the Expander
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Abdulsamad

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-sah-MAHD · æbdʊlsəˈmɑːd
Meaning: servant of the Eternal
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Drawn from Surah Al-Ikhlas; deeply spiritual.

Abdulqayyum

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-kah-YOOM · æbdʊlkɑːˈjuːm
Meaning: servant of the Self-Subsisting
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rare and theological.

Abdulnoor

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ahb-dool-NOOR · æbduːlˈnʊər
Meaning: servant of the Light
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Luminous and lyrical.

Abdulrazzaq

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-rah-ZAHK · æbdʊlræˈzɑːk
Meaning: servant of the Provider
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Warm; common in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Abdulghafur

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ahb-dool-gah-FOOR · æbduːlɡæˈfʊər
Meaning: servant of the All-Forgiving
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Abdulsalam

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-suh-LAHM · æbduːlsəˈlɑːm
Meaning: servant of the All-Peaceable
Popularity: #7,734 and rising (#9,758 → #7,734, 2024)

Carried by Nobel laureate Abdus Salam.

Abdulhamid

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-huh-MEED · æbduːlhəˈmiːd
Meaning: servant of the Praiseworthy
Popularity: #10,905 and falling (#10,821 → #10,905, 2024)

Borne by Ottoman sultans.

Abdulrasheed

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-rah-SHEED · æbdʊlræˈʃiːd
Meaning: servant of the Rightly Guided
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Calm and dignified.

Abdulwadood

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ab-dool-wah-DOOD · æbdʊlwəˈduːd
Meaning: servant of the Loving
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Abdulmuhsin

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ahb-dool-MOOH-sin · æbduːlˈmʊhsɪn
Meaning: servant of the Beneficent
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A name that sounds like a blessing.

Abdulhafiz

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ahb-dool-hah-FEEZ · æbduːlhæˈfiːz
Meaning: servant of the Preserver
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Often given to boys whose families hope they will memorize the Qur’an.

Names That Mean Light, Sun, and Brightness

A surprisingly large category in Arabic, where root words for light (noor, diya, shams, badr) form the spine of dozens of names. These work beautifully for boys born early in the morning or during Ramadan.

Noor

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: NOOR · ˈnʊr
Meaning: light
Popularity: #3,190 and falling (#2,787 → #3,190, 2024)

Used for boys and girls; in Muslim South Asia almost always male.

Nooruddin

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: noor-ood-DEEN · nuːr ʊdˈdiːn
Meaning: Light of the faith
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The great sultan Nur ad-Din carried it; weighty and historical.

Anwar

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: AHN-wahr · ˈɑːnwɑːr
Meaning: brighter, more radiant (comparative of Arabic nur, ‘light’)
Popularity: #2,870 and rising (#3,179 → #2,870, 2024)

Made famous by President Anwar Sadat of Egypt.

Munir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: moo-NEER · muˈniːr
Meaning: shining, radiant
Popularity: #2,894 and rising (#3,394 → #2,894, 2024)

Soft and easy on the Western ear.

Diya

Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: DEE-yah · ˈdiːjə
Meaning: small oil lamp, light
Popularity: #1,682 and rising (#1,698 → #1,682, 2024)

Short and increasingly stylish.

Diyaulhaq

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: dee-yah-ool-HUK · diːˌjɑːʔʊlˈhʌk
Meaning: light of the truth
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A formal version, sometimes shortened to Diya.

Shams

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: SHAHMS · ʃæms
Meaning: sun
Popularity: #13,871 and falling (#7,227 → #13,871, 2024)

Bold, single-syllable, and increasingly hip among diaspora parents.

Shamsuddin

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: shahm-soo-DEEN · ˌʃæmsuːˈdiːn
Meaning: sun of the religion
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Common in Mughal-era India.

Badr

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: BAH-der · bɑdr
Meaning: full moon (specifically the moon on the 14th night of the lunar month)
Popularity: #5,916 and rising (#6,264 → #5,916, 2024)

Also the name of the Prophet’s first major battle; layered with meaning.

Badruddin

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: bah-droo-DEEN · bɑd.rʊdˈdiːn
Meaning: full moon of the religion
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Stately and old-world.

Qamar

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: KAH-mar · ˈkɑː.mɑːr
Meaning: moon
Popularity: #11,950 and falling (#11,907 → #11,950, 2024)

Romantic and gentle.

Najm

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: NAHJM · nɑːdʒm
Meaning: star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Crisp, short, and on-trend.

Najmuddin

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: nahj-moo-DEEN · nɑːdʒmuːˈdiːn
Meaning: a compound of the words for ‘star’ and ‘faith’
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The great Sufi master Najm al-Din Kubra wore it well.

Suhayl

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: soo-HAYL · sʊˈheɪl
Meaning: A bright star, gentle one
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Easy in English and increasingly popular.

Bashir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: bah-SHEER · bɑːˈʃiːr
Meaning: bearer of good news
Popularity: #4,710 and falling (#4,008 → #4,710, 2024)

Warm and welcoming.

Tariq

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: tah-REEK · tɑːˈriːk
Meaning: one who knocks / a night-comer (from a root meaning ‘to knock’); poetically applied to the morning star
Popularity: #1,406 and falling (#1,313 → #1,406, 2024)

That’s a secondary, poetic sense — the literal root meaning is ‘one who knocks’ or ‘night-comer,’ with ‘morning star’ arising from the Qur’anic association rather than being a direct translation.

Sirajuddin

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: sih-rah-jood-DEEN · sɪˌrɑːdʒʊdˈdiːn
Meaning: lamp of the religion
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Has the imagery of a single steady candle.

Ziya

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ZEE-yuh · ˈziːjə
Meaning: light, radiance
Popularity: #10,878 and rising (#14,188 → #10,878, 2024)

The Turkish poet Ziya Pasha helped popularize it.

Lami

Origin: Hausa, from Arabic ‘al-khamis’
Pronunciation: LAH-mee · ˈlɑːmi
Meaning: Thursday-born
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Rare and modern-feeling.

Mubeen

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: moo-BEEN · muːˈbiːn
Meaning: Clear, plain, or distinct
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Often appears in the Qur’an describing revelation.

Sanaullah

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: sah-nah-OOL-lah · sæˈnɑːʊlɑː
Meaning: praise of God
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Common in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Aydın

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: eye-DUHN · aɪˈdɯn
Meaning: brightness and clear-mindedness, in the sense of being enlightened
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Modern Turkish naming favorite.

Persian and Mughal-Influenced Names

Persian was the literary language of Islamic civilization for nearly a thousand years — the court tongue of the Mughals, the Ottomans, and Safavid Iran. These names carry a softer, more poetic register than classical Arabic.

Arsalan

Origin: Persian/Turkic
Pronunciation: ar-suh-LAHN · ˌɑːrsəˈlɑːn
Meaning: lion
Popularity: #2,184 and falling (#2,029 → #2,184, 2024)

Strong without sounding aggressive; popular in Iran and Pakistan.

Bahram

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: bah-RAHM · bɑːˈrɑːm
Meaning: victorious
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Borne by Sasanian kings; mythic and majestic.

Cyrus / Kourosh

Origin: Old Persian
Pronunciation: SY-rus · ˈsaɪrəs
Meaning: Sun, far-sighted
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The ancient emperor; revered across Iranian families.

Dara

Origin: Irish, Persian, or Slavic (three unrelated origins)
Pronunciation: DAIR-ah · ˈdɛrə
Meaning: Wealthy, possessor
Popularity: #3,525 and rising (#3,807 → #3,525, 2024)

Short, modern, exportable.

Darius / Daryush

Origin: Old Persian
Pronunciation: DAIR-ee-us · ˈdɛriəs
Meaning: holding firm the good
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Another emperor name; classical and bold.

Farhad

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: far-HAHD · fɑːrˈhɑːd
Meaning: Happiness
Popularity: #11,324 and falling (#11,301 → #11,324, 2024)

The legendary lover of Shirin in Persian poetry.

Farid

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: fah-REED · fæˈriːd
Meaning: unique, peerless, or matchless
Popularity: #3,281 and falling (#2,966 → #3,281, 2024)

Famous Sufi poet Farid al-Din Attar.

Faraz

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: fah-RAHZ · fæˈrɒːz
Meaning: height, ascent; exalted
Popularity: #9,239 and falling (#7,028 → #9,239, 2024)

Aspirational and crisp.

Hamza

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: HAHM-zah · ˈhɑːmzə
Meaning: strong, steadfast
Popularity: #527 and rising (#557 → #527, 2024)

The Prophet’s beloved uncle; one of the fastest-rising Muslim names in Europe.

Jahanzeb

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: jah-hahn-ZEB · dʒæhɒːnˈzeɪb
Meaning: Adornment of the world
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Mughal-flavored and grand.

Jamshid

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: jahm-SHEED · dʒæmˈʃiːd
Meaning: Shining king
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pre-Islamic mythological ruler still beloved today.

Khusrau

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: khoos-ROW · ˈxʊsraʊ
Meaning: Having good renown
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The poet Amir Khusrau of Delhi.

Mehrdad

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: mehr-DAHD · mɛhrˈdɑːd
Meaning: generally parsed as a compound of “Mehr” (sun / the deity Mithra) and “dad” (given, gift) — roughly “gift of the sun/Mithra”
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Warm and a bit literary.

Mehran

Origin: Persian, via Pahlavi
Pronunciation: meh-RAHN · mɛhˈrɑːn
Meaning: linked to “Mehr” and to Mithra, the ancient Iranian god of the sun, light, and covenant
Popularity: #3,940 and rising (#4,834 → #3,940, 2024)

Soft and modern in Iran.

Navid

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: nah-VEED · nɑːˈviːd
Meaning: good news, glad tidings
Popularity: #7,100 and rising (#7,598 → #7,100, 2024)

Bright, optimistic, and easy in English.

Omid

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: oh-MEED · oʊˈmiːd
Meaning: generally understood as the Persian word for “hope”
Popularity: #8,764 and falling (#6,425 → #8,764, 2024)

Parsa

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: PAR-suh · ˈpɑːrsə
Meaning: pious or devout
Popularity: #4,821 and rising (#5,194 → #4,821, 2024)

Increasingly chosen by diaspora Iranians.

Rostam

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: ROH-stahm · ˈroʊstɑːm
Meaning: mighty, of great stature
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Persian Hercules; epic and enduring.

Reza

Origin: Persian (from Arabic)
Pronunciation: reh-ZAH · rɛˈzɑː
Meaning: contentment, satisfaction
Popularity: #3,138 and falling (#2,791 → #3,138, 2024)

Beloved across Shia communities; the eighth Imam, Ali al-Reza.

Roshan

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: roh-SHAHN · roʊˈʃɑːn
Meaning: light, bright
Popularity: #3,754 and falling (#3,541 → #3,754, 2024)

Gentle and increasingly used worldwide.

Sami

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: SAH-mee · ˈsɑːmiː
Meaning: exalted, elevated (from Arabic sama, ‘to rise’)
Popularity: #1,263 and rising (#1,306 → #1,263, 2024)

Easy crossover; pronounced SAH-mee.

Shahriyar

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: shah-ree-YAHR · ʃæhriːˈjɒːr
Meaning: sovereign or king
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The frame-tale king of *One Thousand and One Nights*.

Shahzad

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: shah-ZAHD · ʃɑːhˈzɑːd
Meaning: prince or son of a king
Popularity: #8,202 and falling (#7,652 → #8,202, 2024)

Romantic and Mughal-flavored.

Sohrab

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: soh-RAHB · soʊˈrɑːb
Meaning: Illustrious, shining
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The tragic hero of the Shahnameh.

Zubin

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: ZOO-bin · ˈzuːbɪn
Meaning: short spear or javelin
Popularity: #8,946 and rising (#8,975 → #8,946, 2024)

Conductor Zubin Mehta gave it global recognition.

Turkish and Ottoman-Era Names

Turkish naming pulls from Arabic, Persian, and pre-Islamic Turkic roots — producing a sound that’s at once familiar and distinctive. Many of these names spread across the former Ottoman world, from Bosnia to Egypt.

Emir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: eh-MEER · ɛˈmɪr
Meaning: commander, prince, ruler
Popularity: #557 and rising (#582 → #557, 2024)

Crisp, modern, very on-trend in Turkey and the Balkans.

Kerem

Origin: Turkish (from Arabic karam)
Pronunciation: keh-REM · kɛˈrɛm
Meaning: nobility, kindness
Popularity: #3,118 and rising (#4,066 → #3,118, 2024)

Quietly handsome.

Kaan

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: KAHN · ˈkɑːn
Meaning: khan, sovereign ruler
Popularity: #3,723 and rising (#3,753 → #3,723, 2024)

Short and powerful.

Mert

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: MEHRT · mɛɾt
Meaning: Brave and manly
Popularity: #6,339 and falling (#5,834 → #6,339, 2024)

One syllable, very contemporary.

Selim

Origin: Turkish (from Arabic)
Pronunciation: seh-LEEM · sɛˈliːm
Meaning: safe, unharmed
Popularity: #2,252 and rising (#2,502 → #2,252, 2024)

Borne by three Ottoman sultans.

Murat

Origin: Turkish (from Arabic)
Pronunciation: moo-RAHT · mʊˈrɑːt
Meaning: wish, desire, intent
Popularity: #10,541 and falling (#9,463 → #10,541, 2024)

Classic Turkish; six Ottoman sultans wore it.

Mustafa

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: moo-STAH-fah · muːˈstɑːfə
Meaning: the chosen one
Popularity: #820 and rising (#883 → #820, 2024)

Orhan

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: OR-hahn · ˈɔːrhɑːn
Meaning: likely ‘ruler of the city’ or ‘prosperous leader’ (Turkic roots for ‘place/city’ + ‘khan, ruler’)
Popularity: #2,222 and falling (#2,118 → #2,222, 2024)

The second Ottoman sultan; Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk.

Osman

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ohss-MAHN
Meaning: Bustard chick
Popularity: #1,031 and falling (#990 → #1,031, 2024)

Distinguished and historical.

Cem

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: JEM · dʒɛm
Meaning: twin
Popularity: #12,612 and falling (#11,013 → #12,612, 2024)

Short and stylish.

Demir

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: deh-MEER · dɛˈmɪr
Meaning: iron
Popularity: #1,709 and falling (#1,538 → #1,709, 2024)

Strong and elemental; rising fast in Turkey.

Eren

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: AIR-en · ˈɛrən
Meaning: Saint, wise mystic
Popularity: #869 and rising (#939 → #869, 2024)

Anime fans will recognize it; in Turkey it’s traditional.

Tarık

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: TAH-ruk · tɑːˈrɯk
Meaning: morning star
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Turkish spelling of Tariq.

Yiğit

Origin: Turkish
Meaning: brave, valiant person
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Pure Turkic root; pronounced “Yee-it.”

Ferhat

Origin: Old Persian
Pronunciation: fer-HAHT · fɛrˈhɑːt
Meaning: earned or gained
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Turkish spelling of Farhad.

Bilal

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: bee-LAHL · bɪˈlɑːl
Meaning: traditionally glossed ‘moisture, freshness’; best known via Bilal ibn Rabah, an early companion of Muhammad
Popularity: #1,181 and falling (#1,159 → #1,181, 2024)

This is a traditional/folk gloss rather than a firmly established etymology; the name’s prominence mainly comes from Bilal ibn Rabah, and linguists aren’t fully certain of the root meaning.

Hakan

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: HAH-kahn · hɑːˈkɑːn
Meaning: ruler, khagan / emperor
Popularity: #5,729 and rising (#7,047 → #5,729, 2024)

From Khaqan; bold and modern.

Volkan

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: vol-KAHN · voʊlˈkɑːn
Meaning: volcano
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Striking and increasingly used.

Levent

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: leh-VENT · lɛˈvænt
Meaning: Handsome marine
Popularity: #8,052 and rising (#13,378 → #8,052, 2024)

Smart and a touch debonair.

Berkay

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: bair-KYE · bɛɾˈkaj
Meaning: strong moon
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Onur

Origin: Turkish
Pronunciation: oh-NOOR · oʊˈnʊr
Meaning: honor
Popularity: #13,660 and falling (#8,093 → #13,660, 2024)

One word, one virtue.

Sinan

Origin: Turkish (from Arabic سِنَان, ‘spearhead’)
Pronunciation: see-NAHN · siˈnɑːn
Meaning: spearhead
Popularity: #6,114 and rising (#8,817 → #6,114, 2024)

Strong Companion and Caliph Names

Many Muslim families choose names of the sahaba — the companions of Prophet Muhammad — for their character and the weight of their stories.

Abu Bakr

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ah-boo BAHK-ur · ˌɑːbuː ˈbækər
Meaning: father of the young camel
Popularity: #1,949 and rising (#2,187 → #1,949, 2024)

The first caliph; usually shortened to Bakr in modern naming.

Bakr

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: BAH-kuhr · bɑkr
Meaning: young camel
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Short and traditional.

Umar

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: OO-mar · ˈuːmɑːr
Meaning: life, long life, flourishing
Popularity: #1,165 and rising (#1,269 → #1,165, 2024)

The second caliph; firm, decisive, well-loved.

Uthman

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ooth-MAHN · ʊθˈmɑːn
Meaning: young bustard bird
Popularity: #4,402 and rising (#4,599 → #4,402, 2024)

The third caliph; classical and a bit unusual in the West.

Ali

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: AH-lee · ˈɑːli
Meaning: exalted, noble
Popularity: #323 and falling (#311 → #323, 2024)

The fourth caliph and Prophet’s son-in-law; the most universal Muslim name globally.

Hassan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: hah-SAHN · hɑˈsɑːn
Meaning: good, handsome
Popularity: #649 and rising (#688 → #649, 2024)

The Prophet’s grandson; gentle and very popular.

Husayn

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: hoo-SAYN · huːˈseɪn
Meaning: good or handsome
Popularity: #4,342 and rising (#8,491 → #4,342, 2024)

The Prophet’s other grandson; central to Shia identity.

Khalid

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: KAH-lid · ˈkɑːlɪd
Meaning: eternal, immortal
Popularity: #936 and rising (#1,008 → #936, 2024)

Khalid ibn al-Walid, the great general called “Sword of God.”

Saad

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: SAHD · sɑːd
Meaning: good fortune and happiness
Popularity: #2,251 and rising (#2,643 → #2,251, 2024)

Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, one of the ten promised paradise.

Talha

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: TAHL-hah · ˈtɑːlhə
Meaning: acacia tree
Popularity: #2,735 and rising (#3,216 → #2,735, 2024)

Companion who died defending the Prophet.

Zubair

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: zoo-BAYR · zuːˈbɛər
Meaning: strong and firm
Popularity: #3,318 and rising (#3,341 → #3,318, 2024)

Another of the ten promised paradise.

Zaid / Zayd

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ZAYD · ˈzeɪd
Meaning: increase, growth, or abundance
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Prophet’s adopted son; warm and increasingly Western-friendly.

Usama

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: oo-SAH-mah · ʊˈsɑːmə
Meaning: lion
Popularity: #9,187 as of 2001 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Usama ibn Zayd, a young commander the Prophet trusted deeply.

Ammar

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ah-MAR · ɑːˈmɑːr
Meaning: long-lived, prosperous
Popularity: #1,505 and rising (#1,574 → #1,505, 2024)

Ammar ibn Yasir, an early convert who suffered for his faith.

Salman

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: SAHL-mahn · ˈsɑːlmɑːn
Meaning: safe and sound
Popularity: #2,067 and falling (#1,905 → #2,067, 2024)

Salman al-Farsi, the Persian companion who advised on the Battle of the Trench.

Suhaib

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: soo-HAYB · sʊˈheɪb
Meaning: having reddish hair
Popularity: #5,016 and rising (#5,628 → #5,016, 2024)

Suhaib al-Rumi, a beloved early convert.

Anas

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ah-NAHS · ɑˈnɑːs
Meaning: affection, friendliness, sociability
Popularity: #1,377 and falling (#1,346 → #1,377, 2024)

Anas ibn Malik, who served the Prophet from childhood.

Jaafar

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: JAH-far · ˈdʒaʕfar
Meaning: stream or rivulet
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Jaafar ibn Abi Talib, called “the one with two wings.”

Muadh

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: moo-AHDH · muˈʕaːð
Meaning: Protected or sheltered
Popularity: #4,973 and rising (#7,584 → #4,973, 2024)

Muadh ibn Jabal, sent to teach in Yemen.

Khabbab

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: khah-BAHB · xabˈbaːb
Meaning: Swift runner
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

One of the earliest converts, tortured for his faith.

Miqdad

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: mik-DAHD · mɪqˈdaːd
Meaning: Strong or handsome
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

One of the first to declare Islam openly.

Saeed / Said

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: happy or fortunate
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Said ibn Zayd, brother-in-law of Umar.

Names of Virtues and Beautiful Qualities

These are names you can hand a child and let him grow into — adjectives that double as identities. Many are also classical Arabic words still used in poetry today.

Karim

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: kah-REEM · kɑːˈriːm
Meaning: generous, noble
Popularity: #819 and falling (#705 → #819, 2024)

Rahim

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: rah-HEEM · rɑːˈhiːm
Meaning: compassionate, kind-hearted
Popularity: #2,979 and falling (#2,721 → #2,979, 2024)

One of God’s attributes; gentle and dignified.

Hakim

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: hah-KEEM · hɑːˈkiːm
Meaning: wise; a wise or skilled person
Popularity: #2,398 and rising (#2,968 → #2,398, 2024)

Smart-sounding and timeless.

Halim

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: hah-LEEM · hæˈliːm
Meaning: patient, gentle, or forbearing
Popularity: #9,273 and falling (#7,908 → #9,273, 2024)

A quiet virtue made into a name.

Latif

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: lah-TEEF · læˈtiːf
Meaning: Gentle, kind
Popularity: #6,933 as of 2021 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Soft and somewhat unusual.

Rauf

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: rah-OOF · raˈʔuːf
Meaning: compassionate and kind
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A divine attribute.

Sabir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: sah-BEER · səˈbɪər
Meaning: patient and enduring
Popularity: #3,864 and falling (#3,166 → #3,864, 2024)

For families who love what the name says about character.

Shakir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: shah-KEER · ʃæˈkɪər
Meaning: thankful or grateful
Popularity: #5,194 and rising (#5,419 → #5,194, 2024)

A name that becomes a daily reminder.

Sadiq

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: sah-DEEK · səˈdiːk
Meaning: truthful or loyal friend
Popularity: #8,812 and falling (#5,207 → #8,812, 2024)

The epithet of the sixth Shia Imam, Jaafar al-Sadiq.

Amin

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ah-MEEN · æˈmiːn
Meaning: trustworthy, faithful
Popularity: #1,637 and rising (#1,726 → #1,637, 2024)

The Prophet’s pre-prophetic nickname.

Adil

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ah-DEEL · æˈdiːl
Meaning: just, fair
Popularity: #3,151 and rising (#3,227 → #3,151, 2024)

Clean and crisp.

Aziz

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ah-ZEEZ · ɑːˈziːz
Meaning: mighty, dear/beloved
Popularity: #1,727 and rising (#1,912 → #1,727, 2024)

Warm, intimate, also a divine attribute.

Basir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: bah-SEER · bɑːˈsiːr
Meaning: perceptive, seeing
Popularity: #9,063 and rising (#12,465 → #9,063, 2024)

A name with quiet authority.

Fadl

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: FAHD-ul · ˈfɑːdəl
Meaning: grace, virtue, or excellence
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Short and a touch courtly.

Faisal

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: FY-suhl · ˈfaɪsəl
Meaning: decisive; one who settles a matter
Popularity: #2,752 and rising (#3,365 → #2,752, 2024)

Royal — born by Saudi kings.

Ghazi

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: GAH-zee · ˈɡɑːzi
Meaning: hero, conqueror, warrior
Popularity: #4,601 and rising (#7,042 → #4,601, 2024)

Strong without violence; an Ottoman honorific.

Hadi

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: HAH-dee · ˈhɑːdi
Meaning: guide
Popularity: #1,609 and rising (#1,624 → #1,609, 2024)

Calm and serious.

Jameel / Jamil

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Handsome, beautiful
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

A confident compliment of a name.

Kamil

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: kah-MEEL · kæˈmiːl
Meaning: Perfect, complete
Popularity: #2,805 and falling (#2,672 → #2,805, 2024)

Smooth and elegant.

Mahir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: MAH-heer · ˈmɑːhɪr
Meaning: skilled, expert
Popularity: #1,485 and rising (#1,543 → #1,485, 2024)

Has a modern ring to it.

Mansoor

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: mun-SOOR · mænˈsʊər
Meaning: Victorious or divinely aided
Popularity: #7,526 and rising (#11,726 → #7,526, 2024)

Resonant and historic.

Muneeb

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: moo-NEEB · muˈniːb
Meaning: One who turns back in repentance to God
Popularity: #11,801 as of 2023 — not currently in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Devotional and gentle.

Naseer

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: nah-SEER · nəˈsɪər
Meaning: Supporter, helper, or protector
Popularity: #6,071 and rising (#6,780 → #6,071, 2024)

Warm and steady.

Naveed

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: nah-VEED · næˈviːd
Meaning: Good news or glad tidings
Popularity: #9,574 and falling (#7,164 → #9,574, 2024)

Optimistic and increasingly used.

Qasim

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: KAH-sim · ˈkɑːsɪm
Meaning: one who distributes
Popularity: #2,458 and rising (#2,599 → #2,458, 2024)

The Prophet’s eldest son; both intimate and historic.

Rashid

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: rah-SHEED · rɑːˈʃiːd
Meaning: one who is rightly guided
Popularity: #3,568 and falling (#3,534 → #3,568, 2024)

The Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid; smart and well-formed.

Tahir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: tah-HEER · tɑːˈhɪər
Meaning: pure and virtuous
Popularity: #1,912 and falling (#1,829 → #1,912, 2024)

Clean and a little poetic.

Waseem

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: wah-SEEM · wæˈsiːm
Meaning: handsome and graceful
Popularity: #6,143 and falling (#5,646 → #6,143, 2024)

A bit dashing.

Wajih

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: wah-JEEH · wæˈdʒiːh
Meaning: distinguished or eminent
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Slightly formal, very classical.

Yasin

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: opening letters of the thirty-sixth Quranic chapter
Popularity: #1,586 and falling (#1,478 → #1,586, 2024)

Spiritual and increasingly chosen as a standalone first name.

South Asian Muslim Favorites

These names dominate naming charts in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and across the South Asian diaspora — many blend Arabic roots with Persian or Urdu poetics. Pronunciations often have a soft, melodic quality.

Imran

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: IM-rahn · ˈɪmrɑːn
Meaning: prosperous, flourishing
Popularity: #972 and falling (#936 → #972, 2024)

The Qur’an’s Aal-e-Imran; cricketer-turned-PM Imran Khan.

Rayyan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ray-YAHN · raɪˈjɑːn
Meaning: well-watered, lush, or free of thirst
Popularity: #1,320 and falling (#1,305 → #1,320, 2024)

Very rising; soft and modern.

Zayan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: zah-YAHN · zɑːˈjɑːn
Meaning: one who adorns or beautifies
Popularity: #1,127 and falling (#1,120 → #1,127, 2024)

Trendy and increasingly used in the West.

Ayaan

Origin: Arabic/Somali (uncertain)
Pronunciation: eye-YAHN · aɪˈjɑːn
Meaning: Gift of God, time period
Popularity: #518 and falling (#511 → #518, 2024)

On nearly every South Asian top-name list of the past decade.

Rehan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ray-HAHN · reɪˈhɑːn
Meaning: sweet basil or aromatic plant
Popularity: #3,195 and falling (#3,163 → #3,195, 2024)

Aromatic and unusual.

Aariz

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: AH-riz · ˈɑːrɪz
Meaning: rain-bearing cloud
Popularity: #2,051 and falling (#1,589 → #2,051, 2024)

Sharp and modern.

Daniyal

Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: dah-nee-YAHL
Meaning: God is my judge
Popularity: #3,804 and falling (#3,574 → #3,804, 2024)

Bridges Western and Muslim worlds.

Ehsan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: eh-SAHN · ɛhˈsɑːn
Meaning: kindness, excellence, or benevolence
Popularity: #3,279 and rising (#3,916 → #3,279, 2024)

Faizan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: fy-ZAHN · faɪˈzɑːn
Meaning: abundance, grace, or overflow
Popularity: #3,111 and rising (#3,493 → #3,111, 2024)

Common across Pakistan and India.

Hasnain

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: hahs-NAYN · həsˈneɪn
Meaning: the two handsome or good ones
Popularity: #4,927 and rising (#5,316 → #4,927, 2024)

A dual referring to Hassan and Husayn together.

Junaid

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: joo-NAYD · dʒuːˈneɪd
Meaning: Small army
Popularity: #4,123 and rising (#4,969 → #4,123, 2024)

The great Sufi Junayd of Baghdad.

Kashif

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: KAH-shif · ˈkɑːʃɪf
Meaning: Discoverer, revealer
Popularity: #11,615 and falling (#9,342 → #11,615, 2024)

Carries a sense of curiosity.

Mehmood / Mahmud

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Praised or praiseworthy
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

The Ghaznavid sultan Mahmud.

Mubashir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: moo-BASH-eer · muˈbæʃɪr
Meaning: Bringer of good tidings
Popularity: #8,102 and falling (#7,585 → #8,102, 2024)

Bright-feeling.

Nadeem

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: nah-DEEM · nəˈdiːm
Meaning: Drinking companion or friend
Popularity: #5,362 and rising (#6,124 → #5,362, 2024)

Soft and friendly-sounding.

Owais

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: oh-WAYSS · oʊˈwaɪs
Meaning: Little wolf
Popularity: #3,566 and falling (#3,097 → #3,566, 2024)

Owais al-Qarni, a Yemeni follower beloved of the Prophet though they never met.

Rizwan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: riz-WAHN · rɪzˈwɑːn
Meaning: contentment or acceptance
Popularity: #4,518 and rising (#5,407 → #4,518, 2024)

The angel said to guard paradise.

Saif

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: SAYF · seɪf
Meaning: sword
Popularity: #1,356 and rising (#1,603 → #1,356, 2024)

Shahzeb

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: shah-ZAYB · ʃɑːhˈzeɪb
Meaning: adornment of the king
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Mughal flavor.

Talal

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: tuh-LAHL · təˈlɑːl
Meaning: dew or gentle rain
Popularity: #4,162 and rising (#5,632 → #4,162, 2024)

Smooth and modern.

Umair

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: oo-MARE · ʊˈmɛər
Meaning: long-lived and thriving
Popularity: #6,415 and falling (#4,330 → #6,415, 2024)

Diminutive of Umar; gentle.

Waleed

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: wah-LEED · wæˈliːd
Meaning: newborn child
Popularity: #3,378 and rising (#3,407 → #3,378, 2024)

Particularly fitting for a long-awaited baby.

Zafar

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: zah-FAR · zəˈfɑːr
Meaning: victory or triumph
Popularity: #14,188 and falling (#8,232 → #14,188, 2024)

The last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Zohaib

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: zoh-HAYB · zoʊˈheɪb
Meaning: golden or gilded
Popularity: #5,220 and rising (#5,661 → #5,220, 2024)

Rich and unusual.

Adnan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ad-NAHN · ædˈnɑːn
Meaning: settler, one who puts down roots (Arabic root ʿ-d-n ‘to settle/dwell’, related to ‘Eden’)
Popularity: #1,512 and falling (#1,501 → #1,512, 2024)

An ancestor of the Prophet.

Aamir

Origin: Arabic
Meaning: prosperous or full of life
Popularity: #1,913 and falling (#1,743 → #1,913, 2024)

Common across South Asia; Bollywood’s Aamir Khan.

Modern Crossover Names That Travel Well

If you live in a Western country or just want a name that feels at home in any classroom, these names cross cultures gracefully without losing their Islamic identity. Most are easy to pronounce in English without sacrificing meaning.

The original crossover name.

Amir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ah-MEER · ɑːˈmɪr
Meaning: commander, prince
Popularity: #95 and rising (#100 → #95, 2024)

Short, distinguished, and immediately understandable.

Ayan

Origin: Hindi/Sanskrit; alternate Arabic root suggested
Pronunciation: AH-yahn · ˈɑːjɑːn
Meaning: path or course (from Sanskrit ayana); an alternate, less certain theory links it to an Arabic word for ‘eon’
Popularity: #871 and falling (#851 → #871, 2024)

Easy on the English ear.

Eli / Ilyas

Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: EE-ly · ˈiːlaɪ
Meaning: my God is Yahweh
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Easy nickname potential.

Kamran

Origin: Persian
Pronunciation: KAHM-rahn · kɑːmˈrɑːn
Meaning: Fortunate, successful
Popularity: #2,759 and falling (#2,425 → #2,759, 2024)

Smooth and crossover-friendly.

Laith

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: LAYTH · ˈleɪθ
Meaning: lion
Popularity: #973 and rising (#1,054 → #973, 2024)

Short, strong, very contemporary.

Layth

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: LAYTH · leɪθ
Meaning: lion
Popularity: #2,320 and rising (#3,452 → #2,320, 2024)

Same root, more modern spelling.

Malik

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: mah-LEEK · mɑːˈliːk
Meaning: king, ruler, sovereign
Popularity: #429 and falling (#383 → #429, 2024)

Familiar across African American Muslim and Arab traditions.

Naseem

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: nah-SEEM · nəˈsiːm
Meaning: Gentle breeze or fresh air
Popularity: #3,023 and rising (#3,597 → #3,023, 2024)

Refreshing and increasingly used.

Nasir

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: nah-SEER · nɑːˈsɪr
Meaning: helper, supporter
Popularity: #448 and falling (#426 → #448, 2024)

Easy to say, strong meaning.

Omar

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: OH-mar · ˈoʊmɑːr
Meaning: long-lived, flourishing
Popularity: #260 and rising (#263 → #260, 2024)

Mainstream in much of Europe and rising in the US.

Rami

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: RAH-mee · ˈrɑːmi
Meaning: archer, marksman
Popularity: #1,211 and falling (#1,210 → #1,211, 2024)

One-word elegance.

Rayan / Rayyan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: RY-an · ˈraɪən
Meaning: well-watered or lush
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Soft, lyrical, and on every European trending list.

Sufyan

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: soof-YAHN · sʊfˈjɑːn
Meaning: swift walker
Popularity: #2,819 and rising (#5,427 → #2,819, 2024)

Distinguished and rising in the UK.

Zain / Zayn

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ZAYN · ˈzeɪn
Meaning: beauty, grace, or ornament
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings

Singer Zayn Malik gave it pop status.

Zaki

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ZAH-kee · ˈzɑːki
Meaning: pure or virtuous
Popularity: #2,468 and falling (#2,289 → #2,468, 2024)

Short, modern, easy.

Zayd

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: ZAYD · ˈzeɪd
Meaning: increase, growth
Popularity: #684 and rising (#731 → #684, 2024)

Trendy and Qur’anic at once.

Yousef / Yusuf

Origin: Arabic
Pronunciation: YOO-sef · ˈjuːsɛf
Meaning: God will add
Popularity: Not in the U.S. Social Security rankings