Arabic Baby Names
Explore 599 arabic names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Arabic names are meaning-rich, sonorous, and cross-cultural. A single name (Omar, Amira, Yasmin) can carry a dozen cultural associations across the Middle East, North Africa, and Muslim-majority communities worldwide.
A short history
Arabic naming developed around the Quran and the Hadith, producing a deep well of religious names (Muhammad, Aisha, Ali, Fatima). Pre-Islamic Arabic names persist alongside (Zayd, Mariam). Arabic has also loaned heavily from Persian and is loaned into Turkish, Urdu, and Swahili, which means an Arabic name can feel local across a huge region.
Naming traditions
Traditional Arabic naming uses the kunya system: Abu ('father of') or Umm ('mother of') plus the eldest child's name becomes an honorific. Formal Arabic names include the given name, the father's name, the grandfather's name, and often a tribal or regional name.
Sound and style
Arabic names are built on triliteral roots, which is why so many share a semantic texture. K-R-M gives Karim ('generous'); Y-M-N gives Yamin ('right hand, blessed'); R-H-M gives Rahim and Rahman ('merciful'). The 'ayn and 'hamza' sounds rarely survive into English use.
Lujjah
“Depth of the sea; vast expanse of water”
Lujjah is an Arabic feminine name meaning 'the depth of the sea' or 'a large body of water,' evoking vastness, depth, and the mysterious power of the ocean. It suggests a person of great depth and strength of character.
Luqman
“Wise man”
Luqman is an Arabic name meaning wise man, and its bearer in Islamic tradition is one of the great figures of Quranic wisdom literature. Luqman is mentioned in the Quran as a sage of exceptional insight who delivered timeless counsel to his son, including guidance on gratitude to God, respect for parents, and humility before creation. The 31st chapter of the Quran (Surah Luqman) is named after him. He is considered a model of practical wisdom, moral clarity, and pious counsel.
Lutfi
“Kind, gentle”
Lutfi is an Arabic name derived from the root 'lutf', meaning kindness, gentleness, delicacy, or grace. In Arabic, 'lutf' carries connotations not merely of physical gentleness but of a refined, subtle quality in character, the kind of attentive, considerate behaviour that makes someone a pleasure to be near. The divine attribute 'Al-Latif', one of the 99 names of God in Islamic tradition, shares this root and means the Subtle One or the Gentle One. Lutfi is the adjectival or relational form, meaning one who is characterised by lutf. The name is used across the Arab world and among Muslim communities in Turkey, Central Asia, and South-East Asia, often transliterated as Lotfi in North African contexts. It is a name of quiet nobility, valuing warmth and consideration above more overtly martial or powerful qualities.
Maab
“Place of return; refuge and home”
Maab is an Arabic feminine name meaning 'the place to which one returns' or 'the abode,' derived from the root 'awa,' meaning to return or to shelter. It conveys a sense of home, belonging, and being a refuge for others.
Madiha
“Praiseworthy; worthy of commendation”
Madiha is an Arabic feminine name meaning 'praiseworthy' or 'one who is worthy of praise,' derived from the root 'madaha,' meaning to praise or commend. It shares the same Arabic root as the word 'madh,' meaning praise or eulogy.
Maha
“Wild cow, beautiful eyes”
Maha is an Arabic name that literally refers to the Arabian oryx (a type of wild cow), celebrated in classical Arabic poetry as the ultimate symbol of beauty because of its large, luminous eyes. The name is a poetic compliment, praising striking and expressive eyes. It carries an elegance and depth rooted in centuries of literary tradition.
Mahdi
“The rightly guided one”
Derived from the Arabic root h-d-y, meaning 'guided' or 'rightly guided one.' In Islamic tradition it refers to the divinely guided leader expected to appear before the Day of Judgment.
Maher
“Skilled, expert, proficient in craft”
Maher comes from the Arabic root m-h-r, meaning to be skilled, proficient, or expert in a craft or art. The name describes a person of exceptional competence and mastery. It has been used across the Arab world for over a millennium and carries connotations of professional excellence and cultivated expertise.
Mahfuz
“Preserved under divine protection”
From the Arabic root h-f-z, meaning 'preserved,' 'protected,' or 'guarded.' It conveys the idea of being kept safe under divine protection.
Mahir
“Skilled, expert, proficient”
From the Arabic root m-h-r, meaning 'skilled,' 'expert,' or 'proficient.' It describes someone who is adept and highly capable in their craft or knowledge.
Mahmoud
“Praised, praiseworthy”
Mahmoud comes from the Arabic root 'h-m-d', meaning to praise, which is one of the most honoured roots in the Arabic language. It shares this foundation with Muhammad, Ahmad, and Hamid. To be named Mahmoud is to carry the aspiration of being worthy of praise, in conduct, character, and faith. The name appears frequently throughout Islamic history and literature, associated with scholars, poets, sultans, and prophets.
Maisa
“Proud, graceful”
Maisa is an Arabic feminine name, a variant of Maysa, derived from the root meaning to walk with a proud and graceful gait. The underlying Arabic concept describes a particular kind of dignified, swaying elegance in movement, conveying both physical poise and inner confidence. The name evokes the image of someone who moves through the world with quiet assurance and natural grace. It is used across the Arabic-speaking world and in communities with Arabic heritage.
Majid
“Glorious, noble”
Majid comes from the Arabic root 'm-j-d', meaning glory, honour, and nobility. Al-Majid is one of the ninety-nine names of God in Islamic tradition, meaning the All-Glorious or the Most Honourable, which gives the name a deep theological significance for Muslim families. It is used widely across the Arab world and the broader Muslim world from Morocco to Indonesia.
Makki
“Of Meccan origin”
A nisba adjective derived from Makkah (Mecca), meaning 'one from Mecca' or 'of Meccan origin.' It carries strong spiritual resonance as Mecca is the holiest city in Islam.
Malaak
“Angel, divine messenger”
An alternate transliteration of the Arabic word for 'angel' (ملاك), derived from the root l-'-k relating to divine messengership. It denotes purity, grace, and heavenly beauty.
Malak
“Angel, heavenly messenger”
From the Arabic ملاك, meaning 'angel' or 'divine messenger,' rooted in the Semitic root l-'-k associated with conveying messages. The name evokes celestial grace and spiritual protection.
Malek
“King, sovereign ruler”
A variant spelling of Malik, from the Arabic root m-l-k meaning 'king,' 'ruler,' or 'owner.' It is one of the ninety-nine names of God in Islam (Al-Malik, the Sovereign King).
Malik
“King, master”
Malik is an Arabic name meaning 'king' or 'master,' conveying sovereignty and authority. It is one of the most direct and powerful names in the Arabic naming tradition, evoking leadership and dignity.
Malika
“Queen, sovereign”
Malika is the feminine form of Malik, from the Arabic root meaning king or sovereign. As a girl's name, Malika translates directly as queen, conveying authority, grace, and noble bearing. The name is widely used across the Arab world, North Africa, South Asia, and among Muslim communities globally. It carries a regal quality that has made it enduringly popular for over a millennium.
Mamduh
“The praised and commended one”
Derived from the Arabic root m-d-h, meaning 'praised,' 'commended,' or 'one who is lauded.' It is the passive participle of madaha (to praise), signifying a person worthy of admiration.
Manal
“Attainment, achievement”
Manal is an Arabic name derived from the root m-n-l, meaning to attain, to achieve, or to reach one's goal. It suggests a life of purpose, ambition, and fulfilment. The name implies that the bearer is destined to achieve what she sets out to accomplish, carrying a strong sense of determination and capability. It is used across the Arabic-speaking world and among Muslim communities globally.
Manar
“Guiding light, beacon”
From the Arabic root n-w-r, meaning 'light' or 'guiding light,' specifically referring to a lighthouse or beacon (manara). The name evokes the image of a light that guides others through darkness.
Mansour
“Victorious, aided”
Mansour is an Arabic name meaning 'victorious' or 'aided by God'. It carries a powerful sense of divine support and triumph, and has been borne by caliphs, kings, and scholars throughout the Islamic world for over a millennium.
Mariam
“Beloved, wished-for child of the sea”
Mariam carries the dual meaning of "beloved" and "sea of bitterness," reflecting both deep affection and strength through adversity. In Arabic tradition, the name is closely associated with purity, devotion, and maternal grace. It is one of the most revered feminine names across the Islamic world.
Marwa
“Sacred hill; fragrant white stone”
The name of a sacred hill in Mecca that features in the Islamic pilgrimage ritual of Sa'i, alongside the hill of Safa. It is also said to refer to a white, fragrant stone or a type of aromatic plant.
Marwan
“Fragrant stone”
Marwan is an Arabic name with a meaning associated with a type of fragrant or smooth stone, sometimes interpreted as flint or a polished rock with a pleasant scent. The name carries connotations of solidity, permanence, and natural refinement. It was borne by several Umayyad Caliphs, giving it a historical gravitas and dynastic significance that has kept it in steady use across the Arab world for over a millennium. The name's combination of natural imagery and historical prestige makes it a name of quiet but enduring authority.
Maryam
“Beloved, star of the sea”
Maryam is an Arabic name meaning 'beloved' or 'star of the sea,' carrying deep reverence as the name of one of the most honoured women in both Islamic and Christian traditions.
Mawaddah
“Tender love and affection”
Mawaddah derives from the Arabic root w-d-d, meaning affection, love, and warm friendship. It conveys a deep, tender love and is used in the Quran to describe the bond between spouses.
Mawhiba
“God-given gift or talent”
Mawhiba comes from the Arabic root w-h-b, meaning gift or talent bestowed by God. It signifies a divine gift or a naturally endowed talent, carrying connotations of blessed ability.
Mayada
“She who sways gracefully”
Mayada derives from the Arabic root m-y-d, meaning to sway gracefully or to walk with a proud, swaying gait. It evokes the image of a tall tree swaying elegantly in the breeze or a woman with a graceful, confident walk.
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