While Arabic girl names lean more towards the notion of femininity, physical beauty, and shyness, Arabic boy names tend to connote chivalric and religious values, and don’t pay much attention to appearances.
Below you’ll find a list of the most common Arabic boy names in the Middle East and North Africa.
There are obviously more than 100 male names in the Arabic language, but you could use the following table as a starting point and experiment with the suggested names. You can always derive a second name from the initial one (example: Mohammad -> Ahmad -> Mahmoud.)
While going through this list, keep these things in mind:
- Many names contain religious connotations: this is not a shocking point because the Arabic language relies heavily on the Quran as a linguistic reference. Adjectives and nouns that have a positive meaning in the Quran tend to be used as male names.
- Many names are derivatives: some are derivatives of content words such as adjectives and nouns, while some others are derivatives of other similar names. You will notice the frequency of the phrase “A derivative of” and hopefully manage to create a connection between the name and its semantic source.
- Some names have no semantic explanation, but refer to heroic or religious figures, such as “Zakaria.”
- Many names refer to strong animals, mainly the lion. Given the symbolic figure of the signified (the lion), the signifier (what a lion stands for) makes the lion an attractive option.
NOTE: Names can have alternative spellings in English and sometimes even Arabic (e.g. you might see some names written with a ‘taa marbuta’ or ‘aleph’ ending). It doesn’t change the pronunciation of the name.
Names starting with A
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmad | AH-mad | أَحْمَد | Ahmad is one of the most used names in the Arab world. It was originally one of Prophet Mohammad’s names, and it means “gratitude and thankfulness.” |
| Amine | A-MEEN | أَمِين | This is one of Prophet Mohammad’s names, and it refers to fidelity and trustworthiness. |
| Ashraf | ASH-raf | أَشْرَف | “Achraf” is a popular Arabic name, and it implies highness, social refinement, and honor. This name is in the superlative form, which means that it does not exist in the plural form. |
| Ayman | AY-man | أَيْمَن | A derivative of the noun “Yomn”, which means “blessing”. “Ayman” is someone who blesses his people with love and respect, and who uses his right hand. |
Names starting with B
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badis | Ba-DEES | بَادِيس | A Berber male name meaning “Father of Bravery”. This name is prevalent in North Africa given its Berber background, but a small portion of the Middle Eastern population carries it as well. |
| Badr | Badr | بَدْر | This unisex name means “a complete moon”. |
| Bahij | Ba-HEEG Ba-HEEJ | بَهِيج | An adjective referring to extreme states of happiness. Men called “Bahij” are expected to cheer others up and bring joy to others’ lives. \ Feminine form: Bahija |
| Basel | BAA-sel | بَاسِل | This name has chivalric implications. It means “the hero who fights a lot of combats, and who fears nothing.” Bassel is one of the names associated to lions, and it also means “a lion hearted man.” |
| Bassem | BAA-sem | بَاسِم | A derivative of the noun “basma”, which means “a smile” “Bassam” is someone who smiles frequently, and who makes people smile, too |
| Bayram | BAY-ram | بَيْرَم | This Arabic authentic name is still prevalent nowadays. It means “aid, blessings, and happiness.” It is argued that “Bayram” is a Turkish name, but it’s still a common name in the ARab world regardless. |
| Bilal | Bi-LAAL | بِلَال | An Arabic authentic name meaning “dew”. It comes from the noun “balal” (wetness), and the most popular figure who had this name in Islamic history is the mu’adhin Bilal Al-Habashi. |
Names starting with D
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dali | DA-lee | دَالِي | A derivative of “Dalal”, meaning “spoinling, treating.” Dali is someone who treats others nicely. Interestingly enough, this name means “a crazy person” in Turkish! |
Names starting with G
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghali | GHAA-lee | غَالِي | An adjective that means “expensive”. |
| Ghassan | Ghas-SAAN | غَسَّان | This name refers to a river in Tohama. It means to youth and good health. |
| Ghayth | GHAY-th | غَيْث | This name is largely common, and it has three positive connotations: 1) A cloud or heavy rain, 2) A derivative of “Eghatha”, meaning, “rescuing.” and 3) A rare plant. |
| Ghazi | GHAA-zee | غَازِي | The fearless soldier who fights for religious causes. |
| Ghofran | Ghof-RAAN | غُفْرَان | A superlative form of the verb “ghafar”, which means “forgiveness”. |
Names starting with H
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habib | Ha-BEEB | حَبِيبْ | A derivative of “hobb”, meaning “love”. In semantic terms, “Habib” means “lover” or “the beloved”, and it’s an authentic Arabic name, also largely common among all Arab populations. |
| Hadef | HAA-def | هَادِف | Someone who always hits the right target. This name derives from the noun “Hadaf”, meaning, “target.” |
| Hadi | HAA-dee | هَادِي | In Islamic theology, Al Hadi is one of Allah’s names, and it means “Allah guiding people’s hearts to Islam.” However, since Muslims are forbidden from carrying Allah’s names in their original connotations, Hedi also means, in a human sense, “someone who groups people together and guides them through the right track.” |
| Haidar | HAI-dar | حَيْدَر | This name is also one of the lion’s names. it connotes beauty and royalty, and it’s more popular among Shiite Muslims. |
| Haitham | HAY-tham | هَيْثَم | Means “Falcon”, and it’s one of the noble birds in the Arab culture, as it does not feed on leftovers, but on what it hunts immediately. |
| Hamad | HA-mad | حَامِد | Means “someone who is always thankful and grateful.” This name epitomizes gratitude and satisfaction, and can be noticed in the famous Islamic prayer:“Al hamdu lellah.” |
| Hamza | HAM-za | حَمْزَة | A popular Arabic name meaning “the lion”, and it also means “seriousness and strictness.” |
| Hatem | HA-tem | حَاتِم | The judge and commander. “Hatem” is also a name for the raven. |
| Hasan | HA-san | حَسَنْ | Although this name sounds similar to “Hassan”, it carries slightly different connotations. In fact, this name means “extreme politeness” or “large sand piles.” |
| Hassan | Has-SAN | حَسَّان | This name is a derivative of the noun “hosn”, which can mean either “extreme beauty” or “extreme sensitivity”. Both connotations are positive and desirable. |
| Hazem | HA-zem | حَازِم | A derivative of the noun “hazm”, which means “strictness.” |
| Houssein | Hos-SEIN | حُسَيْن | This name is a derivative of “Hasan”, but carries connotations that are more religious. It’s mostly used in Shiite regions as well as North Africa. |
Names starting with J (G in some dialects)
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaber | GAA-ber JAA-ber | جَابِر | Someone who repairs people’s emotional and psychological damage. Jaber is also someone who helps the poor. It’s a derivative of the noun “Al-Jaber”, which is one of Allah’s names. \ "Jobran” is a derivative of this name, but it’s less common, and refers mainly to the writer “Jobran Khaleel Jobran”. |
| Jad | GAAD JAAD | جَاد | A derivative of the noun “Joud”, which means extreme generosity and fairness. This name also refers to serious people who rarely act playful. |
| Jamal | Ga-MAAL Ja-MAAL | جَمَال | Semantically, this name is a noun form of “Beauty”. However, unlike its female equivalent “Jamila”, this male name connotes not physical beauty, but inner peace, good manners, kindness, and positive attitude. |
| Jasem | GAA-ssem JAA-ssem | جَاسِم | This name refers to robust male bodies. It describes muscular men who are also fair and strict. |
| Jasser | GAA-sser JAA-sser | جَاسِر | A derivative of the adjective “Jasour” and the noun “Jasara”, which mean “courage, bravery, and fearlessness.” |
| Jannah | GAN-nah JAN-nah | جَنَّة | This name means “Paradise.” |
| Jihad | Gi-HAAD Ji-HAAD | جِهَاد | “Jihad” is a unisex name which means “struggle and resistance for the causes of Islam. This name is also mentioned in Qur’an, and it’s widely common among Muslim Arabs. |
Names starting with K
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kadhem | KAA-dhem | كَاظِم | Someone who controls his anger. This name occurs as an adjective in Qur’an, and it’s considered as a positive attribute. |
| Khaled | KHAA-led | خَالِد | A derivative of the noun “Kholoud”, meaning, “eternity.” Some people use this name to wish their newborn a long and beautiful life, while others use it as a reference to Commander Khaled Ebn Al Walid. |
| Khalil | Kha-LEEL | خَلِيل | The loyal and trustworthy friend. This name is one of the most used names in the Arab world across all cultural and religious backgrounds. |
| Kamal | Ka-MAAL | كَمَال | A derivative of the noun “Kamal,” which means: perfection. This name connotes idealistic values and manners attributed to the person. |
| Karam | KA-ram | كَرَم | A derivative of “Kareem.” |
| Karim | Ka-REEM | كَرِيم | A derivative of the adjective “Kareem” and the noun “Karam”, meaning, someone who is truly generous and selfless. |
Names starting with M
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ma’moun | Ma’-MOON | مَأمُون | A derivative of the name “A-mena”, meaning, someone who can be fully trusted. |
| Mabrouk | Mab-ROOK | مَبْرُوك | A widely popular name in the Gulf and in North Africa and it means “the blessed” or “someone who blesses his surroundings.” |
| Madeh | MAA-deh | مَادِحْ | A derivative of the verb “to praise.” It also refers to poets and writers who praise royalty in their literature. |
| Mahjoub | Mah-GOOB Mah-JOOB | مَحْجُوب | In the Arabic language, the verb “Hajab” means “to cover” or “to keep something secret.” Mahjoub is a person who is well loved by others, but who is also mysterious. |
| Maher | MAA-her | مَاهِر | An authentic Arabic name which means “the masterful”, “the skilled”, and “the proficient.” |
| Majed | MAG-d MAJ-d | مَجْد | This is a noun which means “victory.” It also means “highness”, “values”, and “honor.” |
| Malek | MAA-lek | مَالِك | Someone who owns something or is in control of a situation. This name is one of Allah’s names, as He owns the entire universe. |
| Marouan | Mar-WAAN | مَرْوَان | Strong stones that are used to light the fire. It’s also a name for basil. |
| Mohammad | Mo-HAMMAD | مُحَمَّد | A derivative of the verb “Hamad”, meaning, to be thankful and grateful. The most popular figure with this name is Prophet Mohammad. |
| Mohrez | MOH-rez | مُحْرِز | From the Arabic verb “Ahraz”, meaning, “the protector of valuable items and values.” |
| Mohsen | MOH-sen | مُحْسِن | A derivative of the noun “Ihsaan”, meaning, “the good-doing,” and “the loyal.” |
| Mohy Al Din | MOH-y al DEEN | مُحْي الدِّين | This name translates literally into “the reviver of religion” (Islam.) This composed name means “someone who fights for Islam and Islamic teachings.” |
| Montassar | Monta-SAR | مُنْتَصَر | A derivative of the name “Intissar”, meaning, victory, and resistance. |
| Morjan | Mor-GAAN Mor-JAAN | مُرْجَان | A Persian name meaning “coral.” |
| Mostafa | MOS-tafa | مُصْطَفَى | In Islamic theology, Al-Mostafa is the Prophet Mohammad, and it means “the chosen from many”. This name is also used as an adjective to describe all the prophets. \ In Christian theology, Mostafa refers to Paul the Apostle. |
| Moujahed | Mou-GAA-hed Mou-JAA-hed | مُجَاهِد | A derivative of the noun “Jihad”, meaning, “to fight for Islam.” Mujahed is a name that connotes struggle, commitment, and dedication. Despite its pronounced religious implications, this name can also target other goals in life. |
| Mourad | Mo-RAAD | مُرَاد | A derivative of the verb “Araad”, meaning, “to want”. It means “the wanted, the desired, the demanded.” |
Names starting with N
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nader | NAA-der | نَادِر | This name means “the rare, the pairless.” |
| Nadhem | NAA-dhem | نَاظِم | This beautiful name means “the writer”or“the composer” or “the poet.” |
| Najed | NAA-ged NAA-jed | نَاجِد | This name means “the brave rescuer.” It also refers to something that’s set higher than surface level, and, in this sense, this name can mean “the honorable” or “royal.” |
| Najeh | NAA-geh NAA-jeh | نَاجِح | This name derives from the noun “najah”, which means, “success”. Najeh is “the successful” and “the achiever”. |
| Nebrass | Neb-RAASS | نِبْرَاس | Nebrass is one of the lion’s names. It also means “a spear” or “a lamp.” |
Names starting with O
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oussama | O-SAA-ma | أُسَامَة | This name has been prevalent for centuries. It refers to courage, bravery, and affluence. From a semantic perspective, “Oussama” is one of the names of the lion. |
Names starting with R
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rayyan | Ray-YAAN | رَيَّان | From the Arabic verb “Ertawaa” (to quench one’s thirst).Rayyan is someone who fills others with love and affection. |
| Riadh | Re-YAADH | رِيَاض | Plural noun for “Rawdha”, meaning, “a beautiful garden.” |
| Rashed | RAA-shed | رَاشِد | A derivative of “Roshd”, meaning, “the rational, the wise.” |
| Ragheb | RAA-gheb | رَاغِب | From the verb “ragheb” (to want). “Ragheb” means “someone who always wants more and aspires for better things in life.” |
| Raed | RAA-ed | رَائِد | This name derives from the verb “Raad”, which means “to check.” Raed means “the masterful, the honest, the practical, the loving, and the compassionate.” |
| Ragi | RAA-gee | رَاجِي | A name which means “someone who expects forgiveness from God.” |
| Rami | RAA-mee | رَامِي | From the verb “Ramaa”, meaning, to aim at a target and hit it right. |
| Ramzi | RAM-zee | رَمْزِي | Means “to hint.” In this sense, the name refers to someone who prefers insinuation to overt expressiveness. |
| Rimah | Re-MAAH | رِمَاح | Plural for “Romh” (a spear). This name refers to someone who makes spears and uses them skillfully. |
| Refaat | REF-aat | رِفْعَتْ | From the verb “Rafaa” (to hold up). This name refers to someone of high value and social status. |
| Raouf | Ra-OOF | رَؤُوفْ | This name means “the kind and forgiving.” “Al Raouf” is one of Allah’s names, and it connotes mercy, divine forgiveness, and guidance to the right track. |
| Ridha | Ri-DHAA | رِضَا | This name connotes satisfaction and gratitude. |
| Rajab | RA-jab | رَجَبْ | “Rajab” is the seventh month in Hijri calendar. Semantically, it means “great”, which explains why many Arabs choose this holy month as a name for their male newborns. |
Names starting with T
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taj Al Din | Tag al DEEN Taj al DEEN | تَاج الدِّين | An Urdu name that’s also widely popular in the Arab world, and it refers to the wreath which kings place on their heads as a sign of dominance. |
| Tamer | TAA-mer | تَامِر | A derivative of “tamr”, meaning “date”. This name is likely to mean “someone who sells dates”. |
| Taeb | TAA-‘eb | تَائِب | This name has strong religious connotations, and it means “the repentant”, someone who found his way back to God after a long history of sinning. |
| Tayyeb | TAY-yeb | طَيِّب | Antonymous of “profane”, “impure”, and “sinful”. This name epitomizes purity, kindness, good manners, and closeness to God. |
| Tabeth | TAA-beth | تَابِثْ | Tabeth is a kind of fine and rare deer. It’s one of the most beautiful names in the Arabic language, and it originates from the Aramaic language. |
| Taqy | Ta-QY | تَقِي | This name is originally an adjective that means “extreme fear and obedience to God”. This name has been mentioned in Qur’an multiple times However, it’s one of the names that one should avoid because it implies a lot of self-praising |
| Tamim | Ta-MEEM | تَمِيم | A perfect and complete man with no vile attributes. In some regions, “Tamim” is a charm that parents attach to their children’s clothes to protect them from the evil eye. |
| Tawfiq | Taw-FEE2 Taw-FEEQ | تَوْفِيق | Someone who helps tribes and nations reconcile. |
Names starting with W
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walid | Wa-LEED | وَلِيد | A derivative of the verb “Walad”, which means “to give birth”. Accordingly, Walid is “the newborn”. One of the most popular historical figures who bear this name was Khaled Ibn Al Walid. |
| Wadie | Wa-DEEA | وَدِيع | An authentic Arabic name which means “a calm person who keeps others good company.” A less optimistic connotation to this name is “the graveyard”, but people prefer to take the first meaning. |
| Wael | WA-el | وَائِل | A derivative of the verb “Wal”, meaning, “to return”. It also means “peace” as referred to by traditional Arabic literature. Even though “Wael” is an old Arabic name, it’s still used today thanks to its sonorous attributes. |
| Wahid | Wa-HEED | وَحِيد | The introverted; someone who prefers to be on his own. |
| Wassim | Wa-SSEEM | وَسِيم | A handsome, good-looking man who also smiles a lot. |
Names starting with Y
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yassine | YAA-SEEN | يَاسِين | This name was inspired from the Quranic verse:”Ya, Seen.” It is argued that this name has Ethiopian roots, which mean “Man”, or “O, Man.” |
| Yosri | YOS-ree | يُسْرِي | A derivative of the noun “Yosr” which means “easiness and flexibility.” Yosr is a person who is easy to communicate with, and who doesn’t overcomplicate matters. |
Names starting with Z
| Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zein | ZEE-n | زَيْن | A unisex name which means “extreme beauty and impeccable manners.” It can also refer to dew, but this connotation is less common than the first. |
| Zaydan | Zay-DAAN | زَيْدَان | Meaning “endless growth and abundance.” This optimistic and positive name has started to flourish again. |
| Zohaier | Zo-HAYR | زُهَيْر | This name has two meanings: 1) a highly attractive person who instantly catches everyone’s attention, 2) a derivative of the noun “Zahra”, meaning, “a flower.” |
| Zahi | ZAA-hee | زَاهِي | The arrogant and ostentatious. |
| Zakaria | Zaka-REE-ya | زَكَرِيَّا | A reference to Prophet Zakaria. This name has Hebrew roots, and it means “God names”. It is also argued that the name “Zack” is a derivative of “Zakaria.” In all cases, this name is inherently religious, and is popular in the Arab world as well as the Western nations. |
| Zobeir | Zo-BEYR | زُبَيْر | Semantically, this name means “stones.” Accordingly, it refers to someone who is as robust as a stone, and who is noticeably smart, wise, and strong. |
| Zeid | ZEYD | زَيْد | To multiply in number and abundance. |
| Ziad | Ze-YAAD | زِيَاد | A derivative of “Zeid.” |
Male Arabic names reflect character
Boy names in Arabic are either religiously and historically significant, or indicative of one’s character.
Just like Arabic girl names, many of these go back to Islamic and even pre-Islamic Arabia, though you’ll find the names used by other religious groups too. Names like Muhammed and Ahmad are exclusively used by Muslims.
If you’re expecting a boy, perhaps you should consider one of the names listed above. 😄
Did I miss any important ones?
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Donovan Nagel - B. Th, MA AppLing
I'm an Applied Linguistics graduate, teacher and translator with a passion for language learning (especially Arabic).Currently learning: Icelandic
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