Muslim Names
Muslim names are chosen with care: the Prophet Muhammad taught that children should be given good names, because a name is a prayer spoken every day. Most come from Arabic, the language of the Quran, but Muslim families from Turkey to Indonesia also use Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Malay and Swahili names with beautiful meanings.
Below you’ll find the 25 prophets named in the Quran, the honored women of early Islam, the companions of the Prophet and names drawn from Quranic words. For full lists, go straight to Muslim boy names or Muslim girl names. You may also like our collections of Arabic names and Persian names.
Muslim Names: browse all lists
The 25 prophets named in the Quran
Naming a son after a prophet is one of the most cherished Muslim traditions. All 25 prophets mentioned by name in the Quran are listed here with their Arabic form and the English equivalent where there is one; many overlap with biblical boy names.
| Name | English equivalent | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adam | Adam | First human and first prophet |
| Idris | Enoch (commonly identified) | Quran 19:56 |
| Nuh | Noah | Surah Nuh (71) is named after him |
| Hud | — | Prophet sent to the people of ‘Ad |
| Salih | — | Prophet sent to Thamud; “righteous” |
| Ibrahim | Abraham | Khalil Allah, “friend of God” |
| Lut | Lot | Nephew of Ibrahim |
| Ismail | Ishmael | Son of Ibrahim and Hajar |
| Ishaq | Isaac | Son of Ibrahim and Sarah |
| Yaqub | Jacob | Also called Israil |
| Yusuf | Joseph | Surah Yusuf (12) tells his story |
| Ayyub | Job | Model of patience |
| Shuayb | Jethro (commonly identified) | Sent to Madyan |
| Musa | Moses | Most-mentioned prophet in the Quran |
| Harun | Aaron | Brother of Musa |
| Dhul-Kifl | Ezekiel (possibly) | Quran 21:85 |
| Dawud | David | Received the Zabur (Psalms) |
| Sulayman | Solomon | King who spoke with animals |
| Ilyas | Elijah | Quran 37:123 |
| Al-Yasa | Elisha | Quran 6:86 |
| Yunus | Jonah | Surah Yunus (10) |
| Zakariya | Zechariah | Father of Yahya |
| Yahya | John the Baptist | “He lives” |
| Isa | Jesus | Honored as prophet and Messiah (al-Masih) |
| Muhammad | — | “Praised one”; the final prophet |
Names of honored women in Islam
These women are revered for their faith, courage and learning. Their names remain among the most popular for Muslim girls worldwide.
| Name | Meaning | Who she was |
|---|---|---|
| Maryam | Possibly “beloved” or “bitter sea” | Mother of Isa; the only woman named in the Quran |
| Khadija | Early-born child | First wife of the Prophet and first Muslim |
| Fatima | One who abstains, weaning | Daughter of the Prophet |
| Aisha | Alive, living | Wife of the Prophet and major scholar |
| Asiya | One who tends the weak | Wife of Pharaoh, praised in Quran 66:11 |
| Hajar | Possibly “flight” or “stranger” | Mother of Ismail; origin of the Sa‘i ritual |
| Zaynab | Fragrant flowering tree (commonly given) | Granddaughter of the Prophet |
| Hafsa | Young lioness | Wife of the Prophet, keeper of the Quran manuscript |
| Sumayya | High above, lofty | First martyr of Islam |
| Ruqayya | Rising, ascending | Daughter of the Prophet |
| Umm Kulthum | Mother of Kulthum (full-cheeked) | Daughter of the Prophet |
| Safiyya | Pure, sincere friend | Wife of the Prophet |
| Nusayba | High-born, noble | Defended the Prophet at Uhud |
| Rabia | Spring; fourth | Rabia al-Adawiyya, Sufi mystic |
| Halima | Gentle, patient | Wet nurse of the Prophet |
Boy names from the Prophet’s companions
The Sahaba (companions) of the Prophet Muhammad give Muslim parents a deep well of strong, historic names.
| Name | Meaning | Namesake |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Bakr | Father of the young camel | First caliph |
| Umar | Long-lived, flourishing | Second caliph |
| Uthman | Baby bustard (a bird) | Third caliph, compiled the Quran |
| Ali | Exalted, high | Fourth caliph, cousin of the Prophet |
| Hamza | Strong, steadfast | “Lion of God,” uncle of the Prophet |
| Bilal | Moisture, freshness | First muezzin of Islam |
| Khalid | Eternal, everlasting | Khalid ibn al-Walid, general |
| Zayd | Growth, abundance | Adopted son of the Prophet |
| Saad | Good fortune | Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas |
| Muadh | Protected | Mu‘adh ibn Jabal, scholar |
| Anas | Friendly companionship | Servant of the Prophet, narrator |
| Hasan | Handsome, good | Grandson of the Prophet |
| Husayn | Little handsome one | Grandson of the Prophet |
| Talha | A type of acacia tree | One of the ten promised Paradise |
| Salman | Safe, secure | Salman al-Farsi, the Persian |
Beautiful names inspired by Quranic words
These names come from words used in the Quran. They are lovely choices, and several work for either gender; compare our names that mean heaven.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Nur | Light (Surah an-Nur) | Unisex |
| Iman | Faith | Mostly girls |
| Huda | Guidance | Girls |
| Jannah | Garden, Paradise | Girls |
| Kawthar | Abundance; river in Paradise | Girls |
| Rayyan | Gate of Paradise for those who fast | Boys (unisex in some regions) |
| Tasnim | A spring in Paradise | Girls |
| Taha | Opening letters of Surah 20 | Boys |
| Yasin | Opening letters of Surah 36 | Boys |
| Salsabil | A spring in Paradise | Girls |
| Furqan | Criterion between right and wrong | Boys |
| Sabr | Patience | Unisex |
| Ihsan | Excellence in worship, goodness | Unisex |
| Rahma | Mercy | Girls |
| Amal | Hope | Unisex |
“Abd” names: servant of God
Pairing Abd (“servant of”) with one of the 99 names of Allah is a classic Muslim naming pattern. The Prophet called Abdullah and Abdulrahman the names most beloved to God.
| Name | Meaning | Divine name |
|---|---|---|
| Abdullah | Servant of God | Allah |
| Abdulrahman | Servant of the Most Merciful | Ar-Rahman |
| Abdulaziz | Servant of the Almighty | Al-Aziz |
| Abdulkarim | Servant of the Most Generous | Al-Karim |
| Abdulmalik | Servant of the King | Al-Malik |
| Abdulqadir | Servant of the Capable | Al-Qadir |
| Abdulhakim | Servant of the Most Wise | Al-Hakim |
| Abdulsalam | Servant of the Source of Peace | As-Salam |
How to choose a Muslim name
- Choose a name with a good meaning. Islamic scholars advise against names with negative meanings or that attribute divinity to a person.
- Names of prophets, companions and righteous women carry built-in role models, which many families value.
- Only Allah may be called by the divine names alone, so use the “Abd” form: Abdulkarim, not simply Al-Karim.
- If you live in an English-speaking country, check spelling options (Yusuf or Yousef, Aisha or Ayesha) and choose one that is easy for teachers to read.
- Many families announce the name on the seventh day, alongside the aqiqah celebration, as recommended in the Sunnah.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Muslim name?
Muhammad, in its many spellings, is the most common given name in the world, and Maryam and Fatima are among the most popular Muslim girl names.
Do Muslim names have to be Arabic?
No. A name needs a good meaning, not an Arabic origin. Muslims around the world use Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Malay, African and even English names.
How many prophets are named in the Quran?
Twenty-five prophets are mentioned by name in the Quran, from Adam to Muhammad.
When is a Muslim baby named?
Many families name the baby soon after birth, while others follow the Sunnah of naming on the seventh day along with the aqiqah.
Which woman is named in the Quran?
Maryam (Mary, mother of Isa) is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran, and Surah 19 is named after her.