Islamic Guidelines for Choosing Names

Happy babyReprinted from IslamOnline.net, Ask the Scholar

Date: 18/Apr/2001

Name of Mufti: Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

Topic: Islamic Guidelines for Choosing Names

Name of Questioner: Shazia from Pakistan

Question: As-Salamu `alaykum, could you please shed light on the Islamic guidelines in choosing names? In other words, what are the criteria to be followed by Muslim in choosing names?

Answer:

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear sister in Islam, we commend your keenness on getting your self well-acquainted with Islam and its teachings, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.

Islam emphasizes that Muslims should have good names and give good names to their children. It is reported in a hadith that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “You will be called on the Day of Resurrection by your names and the names of your fathers, so have good names.” (Reported by Abu Dawud)

In the choice of names, we should follow certain guidelines as illustrated in the following fatwa issued by the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi:

“Islam does not oblige Muslims to choose specific names, Arab or non-Arab names, for their children, whether males or females. It is rather up to people to decide which names they would like to choose for their children.

However, selecting names should be pursuant to some Islamic rules:

1- To be a good name that is neither detestable by people nor to be rejected by the child himself, when he grows up. Such detestable names are like those which bear the meaning of bad omen, evil connotations, names of people known for their oppression and excessiveness, and so on. In this regard, we find that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to change bad names into good ones. For example, he changed the name of someone from “Qalilah” (A few) into “Kathirah” (A lot), and the name of another from “`Aasiyah” (Sinner) into “Jamilah” (Beautiful), and so on.

2- A Muslim should not call his son names such as, “`Abdul-Ka`abah”, “`Abdun-Nabi”, “`Abdul-Hussayn”, and such names that implies `Ubudiyyah (servitude) to others than Allah. Ibn Hazm said that naming children with names as such is, according to the consensus of Muslim scholars, prohibited, except the name of “`Abdul-Muttalib”.

3- A Muslim should not choose names that give an impression of pomposity and vainglory. This is supported by the hadith that reads, “The most detestable name for Allah in the Hereafter is that of a man who calls himself “King of All Kings”, for Allah is the Lord of the Kings.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, and At-Tirmidhi)

Muslims are also forbidden to name their children after the Finest Names of Allah, such as “Ar-Rahman (the Gracious), Al-Khalik (the Creator), etc.

It is also prohibited to use the Attributes of Allah with a definite article, such as “Al-`Aziz” (the All-Powerful) and “Al-Hakim” (the Most-Wise), as names. But they may be used without a definite article, e.g. “`Aziz” and “Hakim”.

4- It is a commendable thing to call children after the Prophets and righteous people, to keep them in memory, so as to take them as a guide and follow in their footsteps.

The best of such names are the names that show man’s humility before his Lord, as indicated by the hadith that reads, “The best names in Allah’s Sight are `Abdullah and `Abdur-Rahman.” (Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah)

The same applies to names that consist of two parts, of which the first “`Abd” and the second is one of the Finest Names of Allah, such as “`Abdul-`Alim”.

5- As for non-Arab names, there is nothing wrong in using them as names, so long as they bear good meanings in their language. Although the early Muslims were purely Arabs living in a pure Arab atmosphere, they found no harm in non-Arab names, as regards men and women. For example, “Mareyah” (the Mother of the Believers) who gave birth to Ibrahim, the son of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was known for her Coptic name.

Also, most of the names of early believers were linguistically names of plants, such as “Talhah”, “Salamah”, “Hanzalah”; names of animals and birds, such as “Asad”, “Saqr”; names of objects and parts of nature, like “Bahr”, “Jabal”; adjectives used as names, like “`Amir”, “Salim”; names of previous Prophets and righteous people, e.g. “Ibrahim” and “Yusuf”.

Thus, a Muslim should take into consideration such restrictions while choosing names for their children.”

************************************

Added Note: Muslim names are NOT chosen according to the date or time of birth.

Choosing names according to the date or the time of birth is a form of astrology or numerology. It is a type of shirk – associating partners with Allah. It is a custom which some Muslims of the Indian subcontinent have borrowed from other religions. It has no basis in Islam.

Allah said in the Quran, “Say: ‘None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghayb (Unseen) except Allah.” (Surat al-Naml 27:65)

Saheeh Muslim has narrated, on the authority of one of the wives of the Prophet (Hafsah – may Allah be pleased with her), that Allah’s Prophet (sws) said:

“Whoever went to a fortune-teller and asked him about some matter (i.e. of the unseen) and believed him, will have his prayer rejected for forty days.”

Imam Ibn Taymiyah said: “Astrology that is concerned with studying the positions and aspects of celestial bodies in the belief that they have an influence on the course of natural earthly occurrences and human affairs is prohibited by Almighty Allah’s Book, the Sunnah, and the unanimous agreement of the Muslim scholars. Furthermore, astrology was considered forbidden by all Messengers of Almighty Allah.”

The great scholar, Ibn `Uthaymeen, said: “Astrology is a kind of sorcery and fortune-telling. It is forbidden because it is based on illusions, not on concrete facts. There is no relation between the movements of celestial bodies and what takes place on the Earth.”

Before the advent of Islam, people would think that the sun and moon might eclipse when a great figure died. During the Prophet’s lifetime, it happened that the sun eclipsed on the same day when the Prophet’s son Ibrahim died. The people then thought that it had eclipsed because of the Prophet’s son’s death. On knowing this, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led them in the Eclipse Prayer and then delivered them a speech saying: “The sun and moon are but signs of Allah; they do not eclipse because so-and-so died or was born.”

This hadith indicates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) denied all relation between the movements of the heavenly bodies and events on the Earth. Besides, people who believe in the prophecies of astrologists are easily exposed to a labyrinth of illusions, pessimism, and psychological problems.

How Do Muslims Choose Names?

Muslims can choose any name with a good meaning. Good sources for names are the Quran (for example names of the Prophets), names of the Sahabah, and names of great figures from Islamic history. And of course, “Abd” followed by any of the 99 names of Allah, such as AbdulRahman, AbdulAzeez, etc.

There is also nothing wrong with choosing a name to honor someone you love, such as an ancestor, family member or friend.

Wael Abdelgawad
Zawaj.com Editor

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Islamic Names

201 Comments

  1. Assalamualaikum sir i want to know about the name FAZIA it is girl name. Is it an Islamic name what about correct meaning of this name, can i give this name to my baby girl. Please give reply
    Jazakkallah khair.

    • Assalam u Alaikum,
      My son has born on 29.5.2018 corresponding to 13th Ramadhan. I want to give him the name Muhammad Huzaif. Is it suitable for him.

      Thanks

      Bilal Ahmad

  2. Assalam alaikum
    I am blessed with baby girl September 7 th 2016 Wednesday and my third baby girl plz sujust good beautiful name

  3. Allah has blessed me with a son. I want to have him a good name with a prefix of Muhammad and suffix as Shah. Kindly suggest me a good name asw Muhammad……………Shah as Shah is our family name.

  4. Assalamalykum WRB,

    Can you please help me clear out my confusion on the way a father’s name is to be included in the child’s name and if this is necessary.

    Say a father is Mohammed Abdul Kareem. And if i want to name the child along with father’s name. Does it go this way ? – Mohammed Kamran Abdul Kareem or is Mohammed Kamran sufficient.

    Jazakallah khair for your assitance.

    • uzma, wa alaykum as-salam,

      I’m a little confused about the details in the question. Who is Kamran? Is that the child’s given name? If so, then his name should be Kamran Mohammad Abdul Kareem. In other words, child’s name – father’s name – family name.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  5. Wael,

    I really appreciate your patience with us all. Everybody keeps on asking names based on date of birth. May Allah reward you.

    I need a suggestion. I want to name my baby girl, Nora. Now the pronunciation i want to use is different from what is usually done (Noor-A, from Noor). Instead i want it to be pronounced as NO-ra. Does it make any difference? The reason is that the original pronunciation means something bad in Punjabi (my mother tongue).

    Regards

    • Ezi, I’m sure you can pronounce it however you wish and I don’t think there is a problem. After all, even in different Arabic dialects words are pronounced differently.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  6. Can you please shed light on name “hooriyah fathima”.is it good name??please looking forward for reply.

    As i found two meanings for hooriyah
    Hooriyah=beautiful,radiant
    In another website huriya =angel
    It is bit confusing which would be correct n exact meaning of hooriyah.
    Plz kindly answer to my query.

    • As-salamu alaykum sister Rizwana. “Hooriyah” refers to the Hoor-Al-Ayn that are mentioned in the Quran, which are the pure and lovely companions of Jannah. They are not angels. The name seems to be used mostly in the subcontinent. There is nothing wrong with it; however, many people believe (mistakenly I think, and Allah knows best) that the Hoor-Al-Ayn are rewards to men, to be enjoyed sensually. Because of that I think it’s best to avoid this name.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  7. My baby boy took birth on
    23/01/2016
    Rabil Akhir 12 tarik
    Saturday at 4:10pm
    I kept his name
    Mohammed sheik Uzmir pasha
    Is this name good for my baby
    Will it match with date, time ,day
    Will it bring good luck, good life , good health & good wealth to him please reply
    What name is the Best for him

    • Tabreen, fortune and success in life is NOT based on names or birthdates, or any relationship between these items. Such ideas derive from astrology and numerology; they are superstition and shirk (associating partners with Allah) which is a major sin.

      One of the six pillars of imaan (principles of our Islamic faith) is to believe in Qadar, which is Allah’s divine predestination, meaning that whatever happens to us from beyond our control is predestined and ordained by Allah. It is not related to names, birthdates, mother’s names, star signs, or any such factors. This is a fundamental principle of our deen, and is a part of “Laa ilaha il-Allah.”

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  8. can we use the name zayyan for our son ?? The meaning is beautifier and the it is indirectly Quranic name .
    Actually I did not find this name related to prophet or sahaba! Can we use this name ??

    • Usman, I am not familiar with this name. If the meaning is good then there is nothing wrong with it. However I feel it’s better to stick to the names of the Prophets, sahabah, tabi’een and righteous individuals. Allah knows best.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  9. My baby boy name is Ruhan… the name i found on internet website… is the name origin arabic? N shall i continue the same name…? Does it has any good meaning..

    • Tanzia, As-salamu alaykum. If the name Ruhan is Arabic then it is derived from “Ruh”, which means spirit or soul. Ruhan would mean “two spirits”, which I think is a bit odd. You might like instead to choose Ruqayyah (daughter of the Prophet sws), or Rida (favored by Allah), or any name from the Quran or one of the righteous people from history. And Allah knows best.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  10. I want to change my name please guide me because I am suffering from lots of tention not getting any successes till now my date of birth 23May1991 Time: 8:35PM Thursday I was born

    • Sister, your name has nothing to do with your tension or lack of success, whether real or perceived. Neither does your birthdate and time have anything to do with it. Such ideas are based on Hindu astrology and numerology. These ideas are not acceptable in Islam. As Muslims we believe that our Qadar or destiny is determined by Allah, and can be changed only through dua’ and sincere effort. It has nothing to do with birthdates and names.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  11. Aslam-o-Alaikum

    i was blessed with the baby Girl on 28th March 2017 at 10.30 p.m now please suggest me good names for my Girl.

    I shall be very thankfull.

    regards

    Waqas Ahmad

    • Brother Waqas, mabrook on the birth of your child. selection of names is not based on birthdates or the time of birth. Such concepts come from Hindu astrology and numerology. You can choose any good name from the Quran, or one of the wives of the Prophet (sws) or one of the female sahabah, or any righteous individual.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  12. Assalamualaikum…..Sir I have blessed with baby BOY…. I thought below names for him please suggest…….
    MOHID- one who believe in oneness of almighty Allah….
    TAHIR-. Pure, chest, holy
    MAHAD- Great nice.
    I

  13. Assalamo alaikum
    Sir i was blessed with baby boy. I want to keep name ehan, what it mean or is it from quran. And suggest me any other name from quran.

    • Imran, “Ehan” is an Arabic boy’s name meaning “full moon.” It is a good name, there is nothing wrong with it.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  14. I was blessed with a baby boy last week and haven’t yet decided a name. Tomorrow I will have to finalise his, my family recited Bismillah and opened the Quran and took the first letter where the holy book opened which came out to be T and they have suggested to go with the name “Taimour”.

    Is this a good name? Please suggest!

    • Owais, congratulations on the birth of your boy, ma-sha-Allah. I don’t know why there is so much superstition regarding names. Why not just choose a name you like, rather than use this odd method you described?

      In any case, the name Taimour or Timur as it is commonly spelled is a reference to the Mongol-Turkic conqueror of the 14th century. He was the most powerful ruler of the Muslim world for a time. You can read about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timur

      The actual meaning of the name is “iron” in the Turkish language.

      It is clearly a strong name, and I see nothing wrong with it. Alternatively, if you are set on something start with T, there are the well-known sahabah, Thabit (bin Qays) and Talhah (bin Ubaydullah). Though of course those are classically Arabic names and you may prefer something from your own culture, Allah knows best.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  15. Assalamalikum

    masha allah, I was blessed with a baby boy last week. we are in deep confusion in selecting name, as my inlaws want to keep name as Abdul Muizz Hussain and i as a father want to keep as Mohammed Yasir Hussain, please suggest me which name is best to my child.
    also please suggest there meaning Yasir and Muizz from the Quaran.

    I shall be very much thankfull to you.

    jazakallahu Kair
    Abdul Khuddus

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. Al-Muizz is one of the names of Allah. “Abdul-Muizz” means “servant of the One Who bestows honors.” In other words, servant of Allah. Yasir means “easy” and “right-handed” and was the name of a Sahabi, Yasir abu Ammar, may Allah be pleased with him. Both are good names.

      In the Islamic naming system, the first name is the given name (i.e. whatever name you give the child), the second name is the father’s name, and the third name is either the grandfather’s name or the family name. So the name Mohammed Yasir Hussain, for example, does not make sense unless the father’s name is Yasir.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  16. As salaam alekum

    I have kept my daughter name Maisarah do you think this name is ok for muslim girl, pls suggest.

    Jazakallah

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. Maisarah comes from the Arabic root y-s-r, which means ease, and also refers to the right side. Names deriving from this root have meanings of ease, success, etc. So yes, I think it is a good name.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  17. As Salaam o Alaikum, my name is M.Abid and I’m 21 now. However, I mostly fell sick always from time to time different diseases. Even I care and cure the most… but still… What I’m looking here is to know that is there really any impact of Name on our health? I mean many have told me that there is a link between the personality and the suitability of name and the person. and probably my name might not suit me. Can someone clarify me this? or it’s just a myth?

    • Muhammad, there is NO CONNECTION between your name and your health. This belief is a superstition with no foundation in Islam, just like beliefs in star charts (astrology) or that certain names must match certain birth dates (numerology). These are all different kinds of shirk (associating partners with Allah). Islam teaches us that the things that happen to us are part of our Qadar. Only Allah controls our fate.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  18. As Salaam o Alaikum, my name is M.Naeem and I have a baby girl plz suggest a good islamic name by date of birth.
    Baby born tym is 1st June 2017 4:16am.

    • Brother Naeem, we Muslims do not determine names according to date of birth. This is a false practice based on numerology and astrology, which are both types of shirk. These practices are most likely derived from Hindus. Please abandon such practices and don’t get drawn into these superstitions, even if they are common.

      In Islam we choose any name that we like and has a good meaning. It could be a name from the Quran, one of the sahabah, or any righteous individual from history. Or any name that has a good and positive meaning that is consistent with Islam.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  19. Assalamolaikum brother. Allhamdullilah you are doing a great job by guiding other’s regarding their queries,May Allah SWT reward you for this kare-khair.
    Brother Allah blessed me with a baby girl and i want to keep a name “Illiyeen ” Which is in Quran chapter 83 Sura Almuthaffafin Ayat No 17..
    and the other name is “Ameera” so which name do you think is better.
    JazakAllah Khair

    • Wa alaykum as-salam brother Jawad. I think Ameera is easier to pronounce and generally more suitable.

      However, it is an interesting idea to name a child Iliyeen. If you read the surah, you will not that it is not entirely clear what Iliyeen is. In Tafsir ibn Kathir it says:

      Illiyyin… is the opposite of Sijjin. It has been reported from Hilal bin Yasaf that Ibn `Abbas asked Ka`b about Sijjin while he was present, and Ka`b said, “It is the seventh earth and in it are the souls of the disbelievers.” Then Ibn `Abbas asked him about `Illiyyin, so he said, “It is the seventh heaven and it contains the souls of the believers.”

      This statement — that it is the seventh heaven — has been said by others as well. `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn `Abbas said concerning Allah’s statement, (Nay! Verily, the Record of Al-Abrar (the righteous believers) is in `Illiyyin.) “This means Paradise.” Others besides him have said, “`Iliyyin is located at Sidrat Al-Muntaha.” The obvious meaning is that the word `Illiyyin is taken from the word `Uluw, which means highness. The more something ascends and rises, the more it becomes greater and increases.

      (END OF QUOTE)

      * * *
      So it is definitely an lovely name in its meaning. I just think it is a difficult word to pronounce and probably difficult to spell for those not familiar with it. So I would choose Ameerah.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  20. I blessed with a baby boy on 05.06.217
    At 9.10 am . Could you please suggest some names

    • Hussain, mabrook and congratulations on the birth of your boy. As I just wrote to brother Naeem, we Muslims do not determine names according to date or time of birth. This is a false practice based on numerology and astrology, which are both types of shirk. These practices are most likely derived from Hindus. Please abandon such practices and don’t get drawn into these superstitions, even if they are common.

      In Islam we choose any name that we like and has a good meaning. It could be a name from the Quran, one of the sahabah, or any righteous individual from history. Or any name that has a good and positive meaning that is consistent with Islam.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  21. Assalam walequm bhai,
    My name is shahrukh in my home one baby girl birth on 4th june 2017 8th ramzan we can’t able to decide her name good can you plz sugges any good name.

    • Mabrook and congratulations on the birth of your baby girl. We Muslims do not determine names according to date or time of birth. This is a false practice based on numerology and astrology, which are both types of shirk. These practices are most likely derived from Hindus. Please abandon such practices and don’t get drawn into these superstitions, even if they are common.

      In Islam we choose any name that we like and has a good meaning. It could be a name from the Quran, one of the sahabah, or any righteous individual from history. Or any name that has a good and positive meaning that is consistent with Islam, or even simply a relative or friend that you admire and wish to honor.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  22. Asslam alaikum. Can you tell me the meaning of sharjeel

    • As far as I can tell, the meaning is not known. The name is mostly found in Pakistan. It may be Urdu in origin, or may be a loan word from another language. One source on Quora claims the name means “great one” or “powerful.”

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  23. My son name is azainuddin khan and daughter name is javeria yashfeen are their names are good for them or not.if not,then suggest me the best name for my children

  24. Asalamu alaikum…I was blessed with a baby girl on last Monday..we are in deep confusion in selecting the name, please suggest me which name is best to my child

    Barren
    Nameen
    Daneen
    Taqwa

  25. Aslamualikum
    By the Grace of almighty I have son 8 years old
    His name is MOHAMMAD ADEM BHAT ,
    so many people, in my relationship told me that it’s not good name
    of your son You have to change name so
    Please suggest me , what I have to do ?
    Is this good name or I have to change it ?
    Regards
    NOOR

    • Noor Mohammad, which part of his name do people object to? The only problem I see with the name is that using “Adem” as his second name indicates that his father’s name is Adem, but it is not, is it?

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  26. my daughter date of birth is 05-07-2017 time 08.00 am plz suggest name

    • Imran, mabrook and congratulations on the birth of your daughter. We Muslims do not determine names according to date or time of birth. This is a false practice based on numerology and astrology, which are both types of shirk. These practices are most likely derived from Hindus. Please abandon such practices and don’t get drawn into these superstitions, even if they are common.

      In Islam we choose any name that we like and has a good meaning. It could be a name from the Quran, one of the sahabah, or any righteous individual from history. Or any name that has a good and positive meaning that is consistent with Islam.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  27. I blessed Allah with daughter I suggest a name Tasmera
    Hunain ( Tasmera means blossom Hunain means a place in mecca ).can I name her a place name. Please suggest me .

    • May Allah bless your child and grant her good fortune and long life. Either Tasmera or Hunain is fine, they are both good names, but it should be one or the other. The Islamic naming custom is that the child’s first name should be the given name, second name the father’s name, and last name either the family name or the grandfather’s name.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  28. Aoa…
    Allah has recently blessed us with a baby boy … My Father in law wants to name him MUSSAMMAD… From one of Allah’s name SAMAD….
    Does it have a meaning? Can we keep this name ?
    Thank you

    • Hina, I’m not familiar with the name Mussammad and I find no examples of it from Islamic history. I think it would be better to choose a name that is existing and known, such as the names of the Prophets, the sahabah, and of great Muslims from history.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  29. Aslamualikum
    Dear my baby boy name is Mohammad Alhaq Jahangeer
    Kindly suggest me how is this name .Is it correct way to call this name.
    I am hoping your reply

    Regards
    Mohammad Jahangeer Alam

  30. Assalam u alaykum
    Does parental names matter while deciding the names of their newborn infant?
    Thanks

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. Only in the limited sense that the child’s second name is customarily the father’s name. So, for example, since my father was Hesham, my name is Wael Hesham AbdelQader Abdelgawad. (AbdelQader was my grandfather’s name, and Abdelgawad is the family name).

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  31. Dear sir,
    AOA. I need some guidance… My daughter’s name is Eshaal Fatima. She was going all fine till the age of 18 months but since then she stopped walking and gripping and her speech is also delayed till date. I have gone through whole Pakistan for consuly and diagnosis but her illness is undiagnosed as yet… Clinical signs shows she might have upper motor neuron issues.
    My question is few people have asked me to change her name… Some says that eshaal is a very heavy name etc…. Guide me in this regard please…

    • Badar, As-salamu alaykum. Names cannot cause illness nor cure illness. Such things that befall us are from our Qadar. Continue consulting the doctors, be patient, and make dua’. May Allah make your daughter well and grant her good health and long life.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  32. Assalamualaikum,

    I’m blessed with baby boy on 26th March, 2018 at 2.40pm. We have named him as दानियल. There’s confusion about the spelling in English. I have selected Daniel. My husband is suggesting Daniyal.
    Which one is suitable based on date and time of birth?
    Will it make any difference if I chose Daniel instead of Daniyal??

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. Islamic names are not based on date of birth or time of birth. That is a Hindu custom based on astrology and numerology. Muslims should not believe in such things, as these ideas are shirk. Simply choose any good name with a good meaning, or one of the names of the Prophets, Sahabah, and other great figures from Islamic history.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  33. if we give name Maryam to our baby girl.
    is there more chance to be pious.I mean these names have any effect??plz rep

    • hareem, the name will not affect your child’s piety, but Maryam is a good name in any case.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  34. Assalam o alaikum…!
    Allah has blessed me with a baby boy… My family suggested his name “Asfahan Faisal”. But I’m confused that is it right name for him? Because Asfahan is the name of some place in Iran and I don’t know about the meanings as well. Should I change his name or not?

    • Faisal, wa alaykum as-salam. I looked up the meaning of Asfahan or Isfahan as it is normally spelled. As yo said, it is the third largest city in Iran. The word comes from Old Persian meaning “soldiers” or “army.” It seems a name more suited for a boy than a girl. Allah knows best.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  35. Assalam.o.Alaikum

    Alhumdulillah I was blessed the baby girl on 14 oct 2018 at 10.15 pm. ( 6 SAFAR 1440 )
    Now please suggest me good name for my baby girl, according to islamic date of birth
    I shall be very thankfull,

    Regards
    Mohammad Hasnain

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. Choosing names in Islam is not based on date of birth or time of birth. Please rea dthe article and other similar articles on the website.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  36. AssalamoAlai Kum warahmatullah wa barakato. Not sure if you still reply to messages.
    Allah blessed me a baby daughter and I am planning to name her Fabiha Afzal (Afzal is my first name ).
    I couldn’t find Fabiha as an Arabic name, but it means fortunate when I searched for it.
    I checked with an arabic scholar and he is saying that it’s not arabic name.
    Any suggestions would be very good.
    Jazakallah wa khair

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. It’s not an Arabic name. It seems to be Urdu. I think it’s acceptable if you want to use it. However if it makes you feel more comfortable you could choose a name of one of the righteous women from history or one of the female sahabah.

      Wael
      IslamicAnswers.com Editor

  37. Confused about the meaning of Mirha … can you please help.

    • Syed, I was not familiar with that name, but I googled it and found that it’s an Arabic word meaning clever or agile.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  38. Assalamalaikum,

    I am planning to name my baby girl as ‘Sana’, can you please enlighten me with its meaning and relevance to Quran.

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. Sana is an Arabic name meaning to shine brilliantly, to dazzle. It is used in the Quran in 24:43 when describing lightning:

      Do you not see that Allah drives clouds? Then He brings them together, then He makes them into a mass, and you see the rain emerge from within it. And He sends down from the sky, mountains [of clouds] within which is hail, and He strikes with it whom He wills and averts it from whom He wills. The flash of its lightning almost takes away the eyesight. (Quran 24:43)

  39. Assalamalaikum,

    I am planning to name my baby girl as ‘Zoya’, can you please enlighten me with its meaning and relevance to Quran.

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. I don’t believe it is found in the Quran. My research indicates it is a name found in Persian, Russian and Ukranian, and means “life” or “alive.” As such there is nothing wrong with it and you can use it if you wish.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  40. Assalamualaikum,

    Sir I was blessed a baby girl on 4 June 2018 time during 11:57 AM so please suggest a Islamic name for my baby. We are calling her as “Arsheen” because my name is Mubeen. can you please suggest any good Islamic name for my baby.
    Thank you

    • As-salamu alaykum Mubeen. You can choose any good Islamic name from the Quran, or one of the sahabah, or any famous woman of Islamic history. Names are not based on birth dates and times in Islam.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  41. Aslam u alaikum,
    Sir, my wife having some serious issues regarding her health, we hav visited the best doctors all over the country from last 5 years, but no one have its solution…
    I took guidance from spiritual people, some one sugest me to change her name..plz sugest me a name..
    Her date of birth is 9-11-1986
    JzakAllah

    • Brother Muhammad Zafar, wa alaykum as-salam and Ramadan mubarak. I’m sorry to hear about your wife’s health issues. However it has nothing to do with her name or birthdate. Such ideas are based on Hindu astrology and numerology. In Islam we do not believe in such things. Just keep making dua’ to Allah, continue to seek medical treatment, and be patient. May Allah give your wife healing and comfort.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

    • Muhammad Zafar, wa alaykum as-salam. I’m sorry to hear about your wife’s illness. It has nothing to do with her name and birthdate. Those are concepts from Hindu numerology and astrology. In Islam we do not believe in such things. Continue to seek medical care, and also make dua’ constantly. Be patient and put your trust in Allah. May Allah grant your wife healing and comfort.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  42. Assalamoalaikom. My daughter name is zarwa. People told me that its zirwa then I confirmed it from many ulma. Some people said its zarwa dome said its zirwa what the actual name is?or it a good name? I am actually confused kindly sugggest me some very good Islamic name. I will be very thankful.

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. If you confirmed it with many ulama, as you say, then why are you still confused and why ask me?

      If you need some good Islamic names for girls you can see our page here:

      Muslim baby names for girls

      Regards,

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  43. Assalam-o-alaikum,

    Please tell me the meaning of name “Abrish”. Some website says its meaning “Allah ki Rahmat” But I didn’t find it any urdu dictionary. I kept it my dauthers;s name ” Abrish Shafiq” Kindly Guide me. Eagerly waiting for your precious reply.

    Kind regards,

    • Hina, wa alaykum as-salam. I am not personally familiar with the name Abrish, but I searched many websites and I found a few saying that it is a girl´s name meaning, ¨One who pours water.¨ Specifically, one website says, It seems to made of Persian ab (“water”) and rish (“pouring”), thus meaning “one who pours water”.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  44. Thank you for your prompt reply. Thinking to change this name (Abrish) . What about the name Haania and Rumaisa ? Plz guide again.

    Thanks with Regards.

  45. AOA

    I want to name my son Ali Umer Awan. I heard that Ali & Umer both names have hi gravity and that I should not join these. Please guide.

    wasalam

    Umer Awan

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. I never heard that saying and I do not believe there is any validity to it. You can certainly name your son Ali, and since your name is Umer, his name should be Ali Umer Awan, exactly as you said. May Allah bless your son and give him health and happiness.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  46. Aslkm plz suggest a better name for my niece
    According to islamic month ..she born on 17 agust 2019
    Jazakallahu khair

  47. I’m blessings a baby born boy18/8/19 2:45pm but I m confused the choosen name plzz help me

    • Faiyaz, the name is not based on the birthdate or time. That is bidah and is based on Hindu numerology. Instead just choose any good name from the Quran, the Prophets, the Sahabah, or any great Muslims of history.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  48. Assalamualaikum sir
    Please suggest best allah boy names

    1)Abdul Mannan (or) mahammad Mannan
    2)Abdul zain (or) Mohammad zain
    3)Abdul ameen (or) Mohammad ammen
    4)A Arfan(r) M Arfan
    5) Mohammad muzammil

    This names pls suggest me best allah name

    • Shaik, wa alaykum as-salam. If you use the name “Abdul,” it must be followed by one of the names of Allah. Zain and Ameen are not among the names of Allah. Therefore you cannot use names such as Abdul Zain or Abdul Ameen.

      AbdulMannan is acceptable and is a fine name.

      Secondly, the child’s second name should be your given name. So if the child’s first name is Muhammad, the second name should be Shaik (if that is your given name). And the last name should be either the family name or the grandfather’s name.

      May Allah bless your child and give him good health and strong imaan.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  49. Asalamuilykum,

    My baby is eight months old and his name is Mohammad Safwan , I want to change his name to Mohammad ibrahim or Mohammad Abu bakar, is it permissible to change name after eight months in Islam and he will be called with the same name here after.

    JazakAllah

    • Wa alaykum as-salam. Islamically, the child’s name should be his given name, followed by his father’s name, then either the grandfather’s name or family name. If you named him Ibrahim, for example, then since your name is Mohammad Suhail, his name would be Ibrahim Mohammad Suhail.

      If you name him Mohammad Ibrahim then it means that his father is Ibrahim.

      I don’t see a problem with changing his name, but if his original name is legally recorded on his birth certificate then I’m sure you will have to follow some legal process and pay a fee to change it.

      Wael
      Zawaj.com Editor

  50. Assalamualaikum

    Allah has blessed me with rahmat (daughter). I want to name her ilyana Malik or Ayra Malik. Plz suggest which one is more suitable as per their root word meaning.

    Jazaka Allah khair

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