Islam is growing in the US and it’s influences on names is becoming more apparent. Many names in the US have Muslim or Arabic roots. This can be found in states with large Muslim communities like Dearborn, Michigan and places like Queens, New York.
However, not all Arabic names are strictly Muslim. I consider a name purely Muslim if it is mentioned directly from the Quran (for accuracy’s sake). This list focuses on US names with Arabic influences rather than strictly Quranic names.
For a list of Muslim names from the Quran, see my lists on boy and girl names. For Western Arabic names, check out my lists for boys and girls.
Keep reading for the list of Arabic names present in the US for boys and girls.
US Muslim Names
US Muslim Boy Names
Adam – Father of mankind; created by Allah ﷻ; a prophet in Islam.
Ahmad – Highly praised or One who constantly thanks God.
Akram – generous; benevolent soul who gives without hesitation or limitation.
Ali – Exalted; noble; of high status and character.
Amir – Commander; prince; one who possesses authority and inspires respect.
Ammar – Alive, Pious, one who is devoted to God.
Bashir – Bringer of good news.
Bilal – Moisture in a parched land; refreshing presence; Bilal ibn Rabah is the first muezzin (caller to prayer) in Islamic history.
Elias – A prophet mentioned in the Quran and the Bible (Elijah).
Farhan – Happiness, laughter, delight and joy
Hassan – Pious, wise; derived from the Arabic word hasuna, which means to be beautiful, good, or excellent.
Halim – Patient; forbearing; possessing gentle strength and calm wisdom in all situations.
Ibrahim – Father of nations; Prophet Abraham; compassionate leader.
Isa – Arabic name for Jesus; messenger of God.
Jamal – handsome, beauty in Arabic.
Jawad – Gracious, noble, generous.
Kareem (Karim) – Noble giver; generous, kind hearted.
Khalil – friend or companion, Ibrahim was known as Khalil Allah ﷻ (friend of God).
Marwan – Solid stone derived from ‘maruww’ (flint) used to make fire in ancient times.
Mohammad (Muhammad) – The final prophet ﷺ and messenger of Allah ﷻ.
Noah (Nuh) – Rest or comfort; a prophet who built the Ark and called people to monotheism.
Omar- Derived from life or cultivation; the name of Omar ibn Al-Khattab, the second Rightly Guided Caliph.
Osman – Deriven from the Arabic ‘Uthman’, which is believed to mean the one who breaks barriers or the one who is morally pure
Ramsey (Ramzi) – symbol or emblematic in Arabic
Rashad – Right path, right guidance.
Rayan (uni-gender)- The one who is quenched after thirst or the one who drank until he was satisfied; also refers to the soft green of tree branches and is the name of a gate in Paradise.
Salim – Whole; complete; perfect peace; one who brings harmony and remains untouched by corruption.
Salman – Safe and intact; Safe, sound, healthy, secure.
Sameer – Good friend, pleasant companion in evening conversations
Shakir – Grateful or thankful in Arabic
Shakur – Very appreciative, intensely grateful.
Shaquille – An alternative of the name Shakil, which means handsome in Arabic. A popular figure who carries this name is Shaquille O’Neale.
Taj – Crown in Arabic.
Tamir – Date merchant and trader.
Tariq – Night visitor; morning star; one who brings light to darkness and appears when most needed.
Youssef (Yusuf) – God increases and gives; a prophet known for his beauty and trials.
Zaid (Zayd) – Abundance; ever-increasing goodness; one who grows continuously in character and positive influence.
Zakariya – Prophet Zachariah; one who remembers God often.
US Muslim Girl Names
Amina – safe one, trustworthy; Prophet Mohammad’s ﷺ mother was named Amina
Amal – Hope
Alia – high, lofty or one who is elevated in Arabic.
Alyssa (Elissa) – Alyssa originates from Elissa, the name of a Carthaginian queen. It means wanderer in Phoenician and may also be linked to the alyssum flower.
Amna – safe, caring, and honest
Anisa – Faithful friend, companion
Asma – Exalted or high. It was the name of Abu Bakr’s daughter and comes from the S-M-A arabic root (relates to elevation and found in words like ‘sky’ and ‘name’).
Ayah – Divine sign; miraculous presence; evidence of God’s existence.
Ayat – Miracle or sign; referring to the verses of the Quran and the signs of God.
Danya (Dania) – Close or near, in reference to fruits in paradise that are near (in Quran).
Deena (Dina) – Common Arabic name, daughter of Jacob and Lea in the Bible.
Eman – Faithful believer.
Farah – Joy and happiness in Arabic.
Fatima – One who abstains, daughter of Prophet Mohammad ﷺ.
Hala – Halo in Persian.
Israa – Night journey; refers to a miraculous night journey of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
Jamila – Beautiful in Arabic.
Jana – The fruits and dates of Paradise.
Joud – Generosity flowing without any limit
Layla (Leila) – Night with enchanting mysterious depth
Leena, Lina – Tender or delicate; soft palm tree, reflecting softness and gentleness.
Leila – Born at night; mysterious beauty; one who holds secrets of the stars and wisdom of darkness.
Maha – Oryx; beautiful eyes revealing grace
Malak – Angel in arabic.
Malika – Queen ruling with dignified presence
Marwa – Hill in Mecca.
Maryam – Arabic form of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Noor (Nour) – Light or illumination.
Noura, Noora, Noor, Nora – Light
Nuha (Noha) – The plural of nahya, meaning rejection of everything that contradicts reason; people of Nuha were known as the people of understanding.
Rania – Delightful; queen with joyful ruling spirit
Reema, Reem, Rim – Gazelle symbolizing purity and tenderness
Saleha – Righteous woman; virtuous soul; one who lives according to highest principles with natural integrity.
Samar – Evening conversation in the desert night
Sara – Princess; noblewoman embodying regal grace
Sofia – Divine wisdom; deep knowledge; one who possesses understanding that transcends mere information.
Sumaiya – Pure and exalted.
Yasmine (Yasmeen) – Jasmine flower expressing delicate pure spirit
Zahra – Flower; Splendor.
Zayn / Zain – Beauty; adornment; one who radiates elegance.
Why is choosing the Right Name so important?
A name is more than just a name. It shows who you are and where you come from. For Muslim families living in the US, picking a name that fits both cultures can help their kid feel at home in different situations. Choosing names that work in both Arabic and an American context lets your son keep a link to his heritage while fitting right in.
Things to Think About When Choosing US Muslim Names
1. How Easy Is It to Pronounce: One big challenge is picking names that people can pronounce easily in both Arabic and English. There are some Arabic sounds like “ع” (Ayn) that don’t have a clear English equivalent, which can lead to people mispronouncing names. Picking names like Abraham or Adam could help avoid this.
2. Spelling Differences: Arabic names can often be spelled in multiple ways which can lead to some confusion. Like the name Yaseen, which you might see spelled as Yasin or Yacine. So when you’re looking US Muslim names, try to choose a spelling that is easy for everyone to read.
3. Mixing Tradition with Modern Vibes: If you’re living in the US, chances are you want a name that depicts your Muslim background while still fitting into a Western vibe. Names like Sara or Aya are some names that come from Arabic roots but feel familiar in the US.
Meanwhile, some parents may feel that they shouldn’t take on purely Western names for their child. This could be because they live in an Arab country or they want to hold on to their cultural and religious identity, similar to what their parents did. There’s no right or wrong here. It all comes down to what you believe and value. What feels right for you?
4. Taking Religion into Account: Muslim parents often want to choose a name that reflects Islamic values. Common choices usually include names with historical or spiritual significance, like Mohammad (ﷺ) or Adam. Likewise, Christian Arab parents might prefer names like George or Elias, which tie back to their faith and Arab heritage.
5. How does Your Chosen Name Fit with your Last Name: It’s super important to pick a name that goes well with your last name. Saying the full name out loud can help you see if it flows nicely.
6. Tips for Finding the Best US Muslim Names
- Look Up Name Ideas Check out online lists of US Arabic names or ask your family and friends for suggestions.
- Get Family Opinions Talk about possible names with your family. Their thoughts might help you choose a name that feels right and suits your kid.
Overall
Picking a name is a deeply personal and meaningful thing. Finding the sweet spot between living in the US and your Muslim influences is key when choosing US Muslim names.
For a list of Muslim names from the Quran, see my posts on boy and girl names. For Western Arabic names, check out my lists for boys and girls.
What are some of your favorite US Muslim names? Feel free to share your thoughts and inspire other parents as they look for names for their child.
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Louder for the people in the back! I laughed out loud when you spoke about pronunciation. Unless it’s a family name, (only in my opinion) a hard to pronounce name just sets the poor kid up for teasing 🙁
Love the boys and girls lists. Thanks for sharing.