Important Guidelines to choosing a Muslim name
Muslim Names
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: On the Day of Resurrection you will be called by your names and by your father’s names, so give yourselves good names.
Hadith – Bukhari
Muslim baby Boy and Male Names
1 If the child is male then the full name of the child will be :
Name of child ibn (son of) name of father
Example 1
If the sons name is Abdullah and fathers name is Umar then the baby’s full name will be:
Abdullah ibn Umar (were Ibn =son of)
Example 2
Similarly if a brother converts to Islam and he would like change his name. He should change his name as below:
If his father name is John Smith and he chooses for himself the name say Bilal. Then his full name will be
Bilal ibn John or Bilal ibn John Smith
i.e. Bilal son of John Smith
| Spelling(s) | Description or Meaning |
| A | |
| ‘Abdul or ‘Abd | Literally means “slave” , i.e. “servant”. Can be used in combination with one of the Names of Allah, i.e. “Abdullah” meaning “Slave of Allah” or “Abdul-Rahman” or “Abdul-Raheem” etc. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Call yourselves by the names of the Prophets. The names dearest to Allah are Abdullah and AbdurRahman, the truest are Harith and Hammam, and the worst are Harb and Murrah. -Hadith – Abu Dawood, Narrated AbuWahb al-Jushami |
| Abdul’laah Abdullah | Slave of/to Allah |
| ‘Abdul-‘Adl | Slave to The Just |
| Abdul A’fuww ‘Abdul-Afuw | Slave to The Pardoner |
| Abdul A’had ‘Abdul-‘Ahad | Slave of The Only ref: Quran 112:1 |
| Abdul Aa’khir ‘Abdul-‘Akhir | Slave to The Last |
| Abdul A’leyy ‘Abdul-‘Ali | Slave to The Exalted, Sublime |
| Abdul A’leim ‘Abdul-Alim | Slave to The All-Knowing |
| Abdul Aw’wal ‘Abdul-‘Awwal | Slave to The First |
| Abdul A’zeim ‘Abdul-‘Azim ‘Abdul-Azeem | Slave to The Great, Magnificent |
| Abdul A’zeiz ‘Abdul-‘Aziz | Slave to The Mighty, The Strong |
| Abdul Ba’deie ‘Abdul-Badi’ ‘Abdul-Badee | Slave to The Originator |
| Abdul Baa’eith ‘Abdul-Ba’ith | Slave to The Resurrector |
| Abdul Baa’qei ‘Abdul-Baqi | Slave to The Everlasting |
| Abdul Baa’ri ‘Abdul-Bari | Slave to The Maker |
| ‘Abdul-Barr | Slave to The Righteous |
| Abdul Ba’seir ‘Abdul-Basir | Slave to The All-Seeing |
| Abdul Baa’sit ‘Abdul-Basit ‘Abdul-Baset | Slave to The Extender |
| Abdul Baa’tin ‘Abdul-Batin | Slave to The Hidden |
| Abdud Daarr | Slave to The One Who Causes Loss |
| Abdul Fattaah ‘Abdul-Fattah | Slave to The Opener, Reliever |
| Abdul Ghaf’faar ‘Abdul-Ghaffar | Slave of The Forgiver |
| Abdul Gha’four ‘Abdul-Ghafur | Slave of The Forgiving |
| Abdul Gha’neyy ‘Abdul-Ghani | Slave to The Self-Sufficient |
| Abdul Haa’dei ‘Abdul-Hadi | Slave to The Guide |
| Abdul Ha’feiz ‘Abdul-Hafiz ‘Abdul-Hafezh | Slave of The Guardian |
| Abdul Ha’kam ‘Abdul-Hakam | Slave to The Judge |
| Abdul Ha’keim ‘Abdul-Hakim | Slave to The Wise |
| Abdul Ha’leim ‘Abdul-Halim | Slave to The Forbearing, Clement |
| Abdul Ha’meid ‘Abdul-Hamid | Slave to The All-Praiseworthy |
| ‘Abdul-Haqq | Slave to The Truth |
| Abdul Ha’seib ‘Abdul-Hasib | Slave to The Reckoner |
| Abdul Haey’y ‘Abdul-Hayy | Slave to The Ever-Living |
| Abdul Jab’baar ‘Abdul-Jabbar | Slave of The Compeller |
| Abdul Ja’leil ‘Abdul-Jalil | Slave of The Revered |
| Abdul Jaa’mie ‘Abdul-Jamee ‘Abdul-Jami’ | Slave to The Gatherer |
| Abdul Ka’beir ‘Abdul-Kabir | Slave to The Most Great |
| Abdul Ka’reim ‘Abdul-Kareem ‘Abdul-Karim | Slave to The Generous |
| Abdul Kha’beir ‘Abdul-Khabir | Slave to The All-Informed, Aware |
| Abdul Khaa’fid ‘Abdul-Khafid ‘Abdul-Khafed | Slave of The Humbler |
| Abdul Khaa’liq ‘Abdul-Khaliq ‘Abdul-Khaleq | Slave to The Creator |
| Abdul La’teif ‘Abdul-Latif | Slave to The Kind, Gracious |
| Abdul Maa’jid ‘Abdul-Majid | Slave to The Most Glorious |
| Abdul Maa’lik ‘Abdul-Malik ‘Abdul-Maalik | Slave of The King (Allah) When the people took the oath of allegiance to ‘Abdul Malik, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar wrote to him: “To Allah’s Slave, ‘Abdul Malik, Chief of the believers, I give the Pledge of allegiance that I will listen to and obey Allah’s Slave, ‘Abdul Malik, Chief of the believers, according to Allah’s Laws and the Traditions of His Apostle in whatever is within my ability; and my sons too, give the same pledge.” -Bukhari 9.312, Narrated Abdullah din Dinar |
| Abdul Ma’tein ‘Abdul-Matin | Slave of The Firm |
| ‘Abdul-Mughni | Slave of The Enricher |
| Abdul Mub’di ‘Abdul-Mubde ‘Abdul-Mubdi’ | Slave to The Initiator |
| Abdul Mo’hai’min ‘Abdul-Muhaymin ‘Abdul-Muhaymen | Slave to The Protector, Guardian |
| Abdul Muh’sei ‘Abdul-Muhsi | Slave to The Accountant |
| Abdul Muh’yei ‘Abdul-Muhye ‘Abdul-Muhyi | Slave of The Life-Giver |
| ‘Abdul-Mujib | Slave to The Responder |
| Abdul Mo’eizz ‘Abdul-Mu’iz ‘Abdul-Mueez | Slave of The Honorer |
| ‘Abdul-Mu’min ‘Abdul-Mu’men | Slave of The Faithful |
| Abdul Mo’qaddim ‘Abdul-Muqaddim ‘Abdul-Muqaddem | Slave of The Presenter |
| Abdul Muq’sit ‘Abdul-Muqset | Slave to The Equitable |
| Abdul Muq’tadir ‘Abdul-Muqtadir | Slave to The Able |
| Abdul Mo’saw’wir ‘Abdul-Musawwir | Slave of The Fashioner |
| ‘Abdul-Muta’ali | Slave to The Supreme |
| Abdul Mo’ta’kab’bir ‘Abdul-Mutakabber ‘Abdul-Mutakabbir | Slave of The Majestic, Superb |
| Abdun Naa’fie ‘Abdul-Nafi’ ‘Abdul-Nafee | Slave of The Beneficial |
| Abdun Nou’r ‘Abdul-Nur ‘Abdun-Nur | Slave of The Light |
| Abdul Qaa’dir ‘Abdul-Qadir ‘Abdul-Qadr | Slave to The Omnipotent |
| Abdul Qah’haar ‘Abdul-Qahhar | Slave to The Subduer, The Dominant |
| ‘Abdul-Qawi | Slave to The Almighty |
| Abdul Qaey’youm ‘Abdul-Qayyum ‘Abdul-Qayoum | Slave to The Subsisting |
| Abdul Qud’dous ‘Abdul-Quddus | Slave to The Holy (Allah) |
| Abdur-Raa’fie ‘Abdul-Rafee ‘Abdur-Rafi’ | Slave to The Exalteer |
| Abdur Rabb | Slave to The Sustainer, Lord |
| Abdur Ra’heim ‘Abdul-Rahim ‘Abdul-Raheem | Slave of The Most Merciful, The Compassionate |
| Abdur Rah’maan ‘Abdul-Rahman ‘Abdur-Rahman | Slave of The Most Gracious, The Beneficent |
| ‘Abdul-Raqib | Slave of The Watcher |
| ‘Abdul-Rashid ‘Abdur-Rashid | Slave to The Righteous Guide |
| ‘Abdul-Rauf ‘Abdur-Ra’uf | Slave to The Compassionate |
| ‘Abdul-Razzaq | Slave of The Provider (Allah) |
| ‘Abdul-Sabur ‘Abdus-Sabur | Slave to The Most Patient |
| ‘Abdul-Salam ‘Abd us Salam | Slave of The Peace, The Bestower of Security, The Author of Safety |
| ‘Abdul-Samad ‘Abdus-Samad | Slave of The Eternal Ref Qur’an 112:2 |
| ‘Abdul-Samie ‘Abdus-Sami’ | Slave to The All-Hearing |
| ‘Abdul-Shahid ‘Abdush-Shahid | Slave of The Witness |
| ‘Abdes Shakur ‘Abdush-Shakur | Slave of The Appreciative |
| ‘Abdul-Tawab ‘Abdut-Tawwab | Slave to The Acceptor of Repentance |
| ‘Abdul-Wadud | Slave of The Loving |
| ‘Abdul-Wahab ‘Abdul-Wahhab | Slave of The Bestower |
| ‘Abdul-Wahid | Slave of The Unique |
| ‘Abdul-Wajid ‘Abdul-Wajed | Slave to The Reveler |
| ‘Abdul-Wakil | Slave to The Trustee |
| ‘Abdul-Waley’Abdul-Wali | Slave to The Supporter |
| ‘Abdul-Wali | Slave to The All Governing |
| ‘Abdul-Wareth | Slave to The Inheritor |
| ‘Abdul-Wasi’ ‘Abdul-Wasee | Slave to The All-Embracing |
| ‘Abdul-Zhaher ‘Abduz-Zahir | Slave of The Manifest |
| Abrâr | Pious and righteous |
| ‘Adam | From earth Prophet Adam name |
| ‘Adil | Just. |
| ‘Amrullah | The order of Allah swt |
| ‘Asadullah | The lion of Allah swt |
| ‘Atallah | The gift of Allah |
| B | |
| Bahi | Fine, good |
| Bari’ | Skillful |
| Basil | Brave, courageous |
| Basim | Smiling |
| Bahij | Always happy, pleasant |
| Bakr | Camel, First born, the eldest child |
| Baligh | Eloquent, well versed |
| Barii | Innocent |
| Bashir | Bringer of good news |
| Bashshar | Bringer of good news |
| Basman | Smiling a lot |
| Bassam | Smiling a lot |
| Bilal | Freshness Ref :He was the First prayer caller in Islam |
| Binyamin / Benyamin | Prophet Yousuf’s younger brother (“Benjamin”) |
| Bishr | Joy, good news |
| Burhan | Proof, evidence |
| D | |
| Dalil | Guide |
| Dani | Close, near |
| Danyal | Name of a Prophet |
| Daris | Scholar, studying |
| Dawûd | Name of Prophet David |
| Dulamah | Tall and black |
| Dyab | The one who perseveres |
| F | |
| Fadil | Virtuous |
| Fa’iq | Awake, alert |
| Fa’iz | Winner |
| Falih | Successful |
| Fadl | Generosity, abundance |
| Fahd | Cheetah |
| Fahim | Intelligent |
| Fahmi | Smart |
| Ralah | Attainment, success |
| Faraj | Relief from bad times |
| Farid | Unique |
| Fatin | Smart, witty |
| Fu’ad | Heart |
| Furqan | Proof (Qur’an) |
| G | |
| Ghamir | Giving a lot of charity |
| Ghanim | Winner |
| Ghazi | Attacker, campaigner for Allah’s cause swt |
| Ghassan | The prime of youth |
| Ghawth | Relief, aid |
| Ghayth | Rain |
| Ghayyath | The one rushing to help |
| Ghazir | Plentiful, ample |
| H | |
| Habbab | Gentle, polite |
| Habib | Beloved At Habib’s death, the noble Prophet had commended him and his entire family and had prayed: “May God bless this household. May God have mercy on this household.” |
| Hadir | The sound of thunder |
| Hafiz | Protector, preserver |
| Hakam | To rule, coach, judge, referee |
| Hamadullah | The Thanks of Allah swt |
| Hamidullah | The appreciation of Allah |
| Hammam | The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Call yourselves by the names of the Prophets. The names dearest to Allah are Abdullah and AbdurRahman, the truest are Harith and Hammam, and the worst are Harb and Murrah. -Hadith – Abu Dawood, Narrated AbuWahb al-Jushami |
| Hamza | Lion This was name of one of the Uncles of the Prophet peace be upon him |
| Hani | Pleased, satisfied |
| Haris / Hares | Guard |
| Harith | The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Call yourselves by the names of the Prophets. The names dearest to Allah are Abdullah and AbdurRahman, the truest are Harith and Hammam, and the worst are Harb and Murrah. -Hadith – Abu Dawood, Narrated AbuWahb al-Jushami |
| Hasan | Good, handsome |
| Hasim | Decisive |
| Hazim, Hazem | Strict |
| Hasim | Thunder |
| Hibatullah | The gift of Allah swt |
| Humam | Brave |
| Husayn, Husein | Handsome (Diminutive of Hassan) |
| I | |
| ‘Iesa | Jesus |
| Ibrâhim | Prophet Abraham |
| ‘Ihsan | Kindness, good charitable deed |
| ‘Imad | Pillar, support |
| ‘Irfan | Thankfulness, appreciation |
| ‘Isam | Safeguard, self dependence |
| IshaqIshâque Eshaq | Means “tall”. Name of A Prophet. Son of Ibraham and Sara. |
| Ismâ’il | Ishmael |
| ‘Iyad | Support |
| J | |
| Jadallah | The Generosity of Allah swt |
| Jadil-Haqq | Truth follower |
| Jalil | Capable, mighty |
| Jasir | Courageous, Strong |
| Jasur | Courageous |
| Julaybib | Brave Martyr A Companion of the Prophet who was dwarfed, described as ugly, and of unknown lineage, yet the Prophet found great favor in him, selecting a wife for him, and saying, He is of me and I am of him” when Julaybib died as a martyr in battle, after first courageously killing seven. |
| Junayd | Diminutive of soldier |
| K | |
| Kamil | Complete |
| Kayid | Cunning |
| Khabir | Expert |
| Khalaf | Successor |
| Khalil | Intimate Friend ref quran 4:125 |
| Khalilullah | The friend of Allah swt |
| Khayr | Goodness |
| Khayrullah | The Prosperity of Allah swt |
| L | |
| Labib | Intelligent |
| Lami’ / Lamee | Bright |
| Lam’i | Shining |
| Latif | Gentle |
| Layth | Lion |
| Luqman | Clear way, convincing, Also name of a Prophet |
| M | |
| Madi | Past, sharp |
| Mas’ud | Prosperous |
| Ma’sum | Protected from committing sins |
| Mawdud | Beloved |
| Mibsam, Mebsam | Smiling a lot |
| Muhsin | Good-doer, i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allah’s sake only without any show off or to gain praise or fame etc., and in accordance with the Sunna of Allah’s Messenger Muhammed . Also the name of one of the sons of Fatimah (Muhammad’s daughter). |
| Mu’in/Mu’een | Helper |
| Mu’min/Moo’min | Believer |
| Mûsa | Moses |
| Muhsin | Good-doer, i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allah’s sake only without any show off or to gain praise or fame etc., and in accordance with the Sunna of Allah’s Messenger Muhammed SAAWS |
| Mustafa | Chosen |
| Muti’/Mutee | Obedient |
| N | |
| Nasrallah | The Victory of Allah swt |
| Nûh | Noah |
| Q | |
| Qabil/Qabeel/Qaabeel | Son of Adam |
| Qaddur/Qaddoor | Capable |
| Qani/Qanee | Satisfied with one’s life |
| Qasim | Divider Also name of Prophet Muhammad’s son |
| Qasit/Qaasit | Just, Fair |
| Qays | Firm |
| R | |
| Radi/Radhi | Happy, Satisfied |
| Ra’id/Raed/Raa’id | Leader, Major (Rank) |
| Raji/Raajee | Hoping |
| Ramadan/Ramadhaan | 9th month of Islamic calendar |
| S | |
| Safiyyullah | The Choice of Allah swt |
| Salim | Excellent reciter of Qur’an ..I heard Allah’s Apostle SAAWS saying, ‘Learn the recitation of the Qur’an from (any of these) four persons: ‘Abdullah bin Masud, Salim the freed slave of Abu Hudhaifa…’ -Bukhari 5.103, Narrated Masruq |
| Sayfullah | The sword of Allah swt |
| Shukrallah | The Thanks of Allah swt |
| T | |
| Talût | Saul |
| Târiq | Night-comer, i.e. the bright star |
| W | |
| Y | |
| Yahya | John |
| Ya’qûb | Jacob |
| Z | |
| Zakariyâ | Zachariya |
| Zayd | Zayd ibn Thabit, .R.A.- a prominent scribe of Qur’an, responsible for preserving the Qur’an as we know it today. |
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