Choosing a name is one of the first and most meaningful gifts Muslim parents give their child. In the hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "On the Day of Resurrection, you will be called by your names and the names of your fathers, so choose good names." This short sentence shapes centuries of careful Islamic naming tradition.
In this guide we'll walk through 100 of the most beloved Muslim baby names — sorted by category, each with its authentic Quranic or Arabic meaning.
How Muslim parents choose names
Islamic naming follows a few gentle principles:
- Good meaning first. The meaning matters more than the sound.
- Names of Allah (with the prefix Abd-). Abdullah, Abdulrahman, and Abdulaziz mean "servant of" followed by one of the 99 Names.
- Prophets' names. Names of prophets like Ibrahim, Ismail, Yusuf, Musa, and Isa are considered blessed.
- Companions' names. Names of Sahabah (companions of the Prophet) like Umar, Uthman, Bilal, and Khadija are especially honored.
- Virtues and positive qualities. Names meaning light, mercy, beauty, patience, and faith are always welcome.
Top 25 Muslim boy names
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Muhammad | The praised one, the Prophet's name |
| Ahmad | Most praised |
| Ali | Exalted, high |
| Ibrahim | Father of many nations |
| Ismail | God hears |
| Yusuf | God will increase |
| Hamza | Lion, steadfast |
| Bilal | Moisture, refreshment |
| Zayn | Beauty, grace |
| Omar | Long-lived, flourishing |
| Hassan | Handsome, good |
| Husain | Beautiful, small and good |
| Abdullah | Servant of Allah |
| Idris | Prophet Enoch, studious |
| Khalid | Eternal, immortal |
| Imran | Prosperity, long life |
| Yahya | Prophet John, he will live |
| Rayyan | Gate of paradise for those who fast |
| Bilal | First muezzin of Islam |
| Dawud | Prophet David, beloved |
| Karim | Generous, noble |
| Malik | King, sovereign |
| Rashid | Rightly guided |
| Saeed | Happy, fortunate |
| Faisal | Decisive judge |
Top 25 Muslim girl names
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aisha | Living, alive — the Prophet's beloved wife |
| Fatima | Captivating — the Prophet's daughter |
| Khadija | First wife of the Prophet |
| Maryam | Mother of Jesus |
| Zainab | Fragrant flower |
| Hafsa | Young lioness |
| Ruqayya | Daughter of the Prophet |
| Noor | Divine light |
| Amina | Trustworthy, the Prophet's mother |
| Layla | Night, dark beauty |
| Zahra | Flower, blossom |
| Yasmin | Jasmine flower |
| Sana | Praise, radiance |
| Sara | Princess, noble |
| Aaliya | Exalted, noble |
| Hana | Happiness, bliss |
| Huda | Guidance |
| Iman | Faith, belief |
| Safiya | Pure, sincere |
| Salma | Safe, peaceful |
| Farah | Joy, happiness |
| Amira | Princess, leader |
| Reem | White antelope |
| Jannah | Paradise |
| Mariam | Mary |
The 99 Names of Allah (Asma-ul-Husna)
Many Muslim names derive from Allah's 99 Beautiful Names. When paired with the prefix Abd- (meaning "servant of"), they become deeply honored given names:
- Abdulrahman — Servant of the Most Merciful
- Abdulrahim — Servant of the Most Compassionate
- Abdullah — Servant of Allah
- Abdulaziz — Servant of the Mighty
- Abdulkarim — Servant of the Generous
Some of these divine attributes are also beautiful as given names on their own (never pairing with Abd): Karim (generous), Rahim (merciful), Hakim (wise), Latif (gentle).
Quranic names with special meaning
| Name | Source / Meaning |
|---|---|
| Furqan | The "criterion" revealed in the Quran |
| Tasneem | A spring in paradise |
| Firdaus | Highest level of paradise |
| Jannat | Paradise |
| Rayyan | Gate of paradise for those who fast |
| Salsabil | Another spring of paradise |
| Kausar | Abundance — also a surah |
What to avoid in Muslim naming
- Names of false deities or idols — these are forbidden.
- Names with offensive meaning — the Prophet encouraged changing such names.
- Names implying arrogance toward Allah — e.g., "king of kings" is reserved for Allah.
Modern Muslim names that travel well
If you're raising your child between cultures — India/UK, Pakistan/USA, Arab world/Europe — these names travel beautifully:
They're easy to pronounce in English, carry rich Islamic meaning, and don't feel out of place anywhere in the world.
Use our tools
- Calculate the name's numerology number if you'd like an extra layer of reflection.
- Compare two finalists side-by-side to see meaning, origin, and popularity.
- Browse the complete Muslim name collection → on NamesAcross.
Explore more culture names on NamesAcross → Arabic origin names