How to Choose an Islamic Name for Your Baby: A Practical Guide

Choosing a name is one of the first decisions you make for your child, and it is one that stays with them for life. Most parents want a name that is beautiful, easy to say, and rooted in Islam. The difficulty is that there is a lot of advice online, and not all of it is careful. This guide gathers what the main sources say, adds some practical points we have seen parents overlook, and leaves the final choice to you.

A note before we start: we are not scholars. Where a point is a matter of religious ruling, we say so and suggest you ask a qualified scholar in your own school of thought.

What the sources say about names

Islam gives a few clear pointers on naming, and a few more that scholars discuss.

• The most beloved names. Sahih Muslim records a report that the names most beloved to Allah are Abdullah and Abd al-Rahman. This is why many families keep one of these names in the family.
• Good names. A report in Sunan Abi Dawud says that people will be called on the Day of Resurrection by their names and their fathers’ names, so one should make one’s names good. Scholars differ on how to grade the chain of this report, so it is best read together with a scholar’s explanation.
• Changing a poor name. Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet ﷺ changed some names that had a poor or self-praising meaning, such as changing Barrah to Zainab. The point scholars usually draw from this is that a name should not carry a meaning that is boastful or inappropriate.
• When to name the child. There are reports that support naming on the seventh day together with the aqiqah, and reports that the Prophet ﷺ named a child on the day he was born. Scholars generally treat both as acceptable.

Step 1: Start with the meaning

The meaning is the first thing to check, and it is worth checking in more than one place. Names are not always translated the same way. Some Arabic roots carry several meanings, and a name that looks simple in English may have a second sense in a dictionary.

For example, the name Hamza is usually explained as “lion”, while the name Hisham is usually given as “generous”, but some references add a second sense for it. When a name has more than one reported meaning, we try to say so on our name pages, and you should do the same when you decide. If the family agrees on the good meaning, that is enough.

Step 2: Think about names you should avoid

Scholars generally advise against a few types of name. Please ask a scholar about any specific case.

• Names of servitude to someone other than Allah. Names built as “Abd” (servant) followed by something other than a name of Allah are generally discouraged by scholars. Abdullah and Abdur Rahman are examples of the correct form.
• Names that belong only to Allah. Some of Allah’s names, such as al-Khaliq (the Creator), are not used on their own for people. They are used with “Abd” in front.
• Self-praising or inflated titles. A report in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim warns against the title “King of Kings”. This is why scholars advise against names that claim an exalted status.
• Names with a bad meaning. If a name means something harsh or ugly, many parents prefer to choose another, even if it is the name of a historical figure.

Step 3: You don’t need an Arabic name, but you do need a good one

Many converts and non-Arab families ask whether the name must be Arabic. Scholars generally say that a name does not have to be Arabic, as long as its meaning is good and it does not conflict with Islamic teaching. That said, many families prefer an Arabic or Quranic name because it connects the child to the language of the Quran.

Step 4: Consider the Companions and the Quran

Naming a child after a Companion is a common and loved practice. It can be a way of hoping the child follows a good example, although the name itself does not bring anything automatically. If you want ideas, start with our guides to Sahaba names for boys and Sahabiyat names, or browse Islamic names for girls and boys. Each name page explains the meaning, the spelling in Arabic and Urdu, and the history, and marks the points where sources differ.

Quranic names are another option, for example names taken from words in the Quran such as Noor (light) or Huda (guidance). Please note that a word being used in the Quran does not always mean it was used as a personal name, and some scholars suggest more care with names of prophets and angels. If you are unsure, ask.

Step 5: The practical checks parents forget

• Say the whole name aloud. Check the first name with the family name. Some combinations sound awkward or repeat the same sound.
• Check the spelling in English. Arabic names can be written in several ways in the Latin alphabet, for example Muhammad, Mohammed or Mohamed. Pick one spelling and use it everywhere, including on the birth certificate and the passport. Changing it later is a hassle.
• Think about the nickname. Children shorten names. Check the likely short form and make sure you are happy with it.
• Check how it sounds elsewhere. If you live outside an Arabic-speaking country, ask whether the name has a different or unfortunate meaning in the local language.
• Agree as a family. It helps if both parents like the name, and if the grandparents understand why you chose it.

A short checklist

1. Is the meaning good, and have I checked it in more than one source?
2. Does it avoid the types of name scholars advise against?
3. Can the family pronounce and spell it?
4. Does it work with the family name and the likely nickname?
5. Have we asked a scholar about anything we are unsure of?

Frequently asked questions

Does the name affect the child’s character or luck?

We don’t treat lucky numbers, stones, colours or astrology as Islamic evidence about a name. A good name is a good start, but character is built by upbringing and by the child’s own choices.

Can I change my child’s name later?

Yes. As the report about changing the name Barrah shows, a name can be changed when there is a good reason. It is easier to choose carefully at the start, but it is not a one-time mistake that cannot be fixed.

Is it better to name a child after a Companion?

Many families do, and it is a well-loved practice. It is a good intention, but it is not required, and there are many other good names.

Can I use a name that is also used for the other gender?

Some names are used for both. Scholars generally advise against giving a child a name that is specific to the other gender. If you are unsure, ask a scholar and check how the name is used in your community.

Sources and further reading: Sahih Muslim; Sahih al-Bukhari; Sunan Abi Dawud; Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, Tuhfat al-Mawdud bi Ahkam al-Mawlud (the chapters on naming). Rulings on names can vary between schools, so please ask a qualified scholar about any particular case.