Islamic Baby Names with Meanings in English: Boys and Girls
Explore Islamic baby names for boys and girls with English meanings, Arabic spellings, pronunciation, origins and Islamic references. Includes Imran, Abdullah, Yusuf, Maryam, Aisha and more.
Choosing a baby name is a meaningful decision for Muslim parents. A good name should have a sound, respectful meaning, be easy for the family to pronounce, and avoid meanings that conflict with Islamic beliefs. This guide brings together popular Islamic baby names for boys and girls, with English meanings, Arabic or Urdu spellings where relevant, pronunciation, origin and references where they can be identified.
Editorial note: Name meanings can differ between dictionaries, languages and baby-name websites. We distinguish names directly found in the Qur’an or Islamic tradition from general linguistic meanings. “Lucky numbers,” lucky colours and gemstones are sometimes listed on naming websites, but they are not established Islamic teachings; we do not present them as facts.
How to choose an Islamic baby name
Check the meaning: Prefer a clear, good meaning and avoid names with insulting, boastful or religiously inappropriate meanings.
Verify the spelling: Arabic names can be transliterated in several ways in English, such as Yusuf/Yousuf and Aisha/Ayesha.
Check the reference: A name may be Arabic without appearing in the Qur’an, while another name may be important because it belongs to a prophet or a respected person in Islamic history.
Do not rely on numerology: Lucky numbers, gemstones, colours and weekdays are not reliable ways to judge a name’s Islamic suitability.
Ask a knowledgeable scholar when uncertain: If a name’s meaning or religious association is disputed, verify it with a trusted scholar or Arabic dictionary.
Islamic baby boy names with meanings in English
1. Imran Meaning in English
NAME
Imran (عِمْرَان)
MEANING
A Qur’anic personal name; often associated in name references with prosperity or flourishing, although the precise etymology is debated
PRONOUNCE
im-RAAN
REFERENCE
Imran is mentioned in the Qur’an; Surah Aal-e-Imran is named after his family. In the Qur’anic account, Imran is the father of Maryam (Mary), mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be upon them.
GENDER
Boy
ORIGIN
Qur’anic name; its deeper linguistic origin is discussed by scholars
RELIGION
Commonly used by Muslims
SHORT NAME
Imi (informal nickname)
LENGTH
5 letters; 1 word
FAMOUS PERSONALITIES
Imran Khan; Imran Abbas
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis; claims vary by website
Important clarification: Some online baby-name pages describe Imran as the father of Prophet Musa (Moses). The Qur’anic references to the family of Imran identify him in the story of Maryam; the biblical name Amram is associated with Moses and Aaron. Avoid treating these traditions as one confirmed identity. See the Qur’an’s Surah Aal-e-Imran and the IslamQA.org answer on the name Imran.
2. Abdullah Meaning in English
NAME
Abdullah (عبد الله)
MEANING
Servant of Allah
PRONOUNCE
ab-dul-LAAH
REFERENCE
A well-established Muslim name; a hadith reports that the names Abdullah and Abdur-Rahman are especially beloved to Allah.
GENDER
Boy
ORIGIN
Arabic
RELIGION
Muslim
SHORT NAME
Abdu (family nickname)
LENGTH
7 letters in English spelling; 1 name
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
3. Abdur Rahman Meaning in English
NAME
Abdur Rahman (عبد الرحمن)
MEANING
Servant of the Most Merciful
PRONOUNCE
ab-dur-rah-MAAN
REFERENCE
Built from “abd” (servant) and Ar-Rahman, one of Allah’s names
GENDER
Boy
ORIGIN
Arabic
RELIGION
Muslim
SHORT NAME
Rahman (common informal shortening; full name retains the intended meaning)
LENGTH
Usually written as two words in English
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
4. Muhammad Meaning in English
NAME
Muhammad (محمد)
MEANING
Praised; one who is often praised
PRONOUNCE
mu-HAM-mad
REFERENCE
Name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ; the name also appears in the Qur’an (including 3:144 and 47:2)
GENDER
Boy
ORIGIN
Arabic
RELIGION
Muslim
SHORT NAME
Often used in full; family nicknames vary
LENGTH
8 letters; 1 word
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
5. Yusuf Meaning in English
NAME
Yusuf / Yousuf (يوسف)
MEANING
Traditionally explained as “God increases” or “may God add”; a name of a prophet
PRONOUNCE
YOO-suf
REFERENCE
Prophet Yusuf (Joseph), whose story is told in Surah Yusuf, Qur’an 12
GENDER
Boy
ORIGIN
Prophetic name used in Arabic and many other languages
RELIGION
Muslim
SHORT NAME
Yusi (informal)
LENGTH
5 letters in “Yusuf”; 1 word
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
6. Ibrahim Meaning in English
NAME
Ibrahim (إبراهيم)
MEANING
Traditional form of Abraham; commonly interpreted as “father of many” in its older linguistic tradition
PRONOUNCE
ib-raa-HEEM
REFERENCE
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), a major figure in the Qur’an
GENDER
Boy
ORIGIN
Prophetic name used in Arabic
RELIGION
Muslim
SHORT NAME
Ibi (informal)
LENGTH
7 letters; 1 word
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
7. Ali Meaning in English
NAME
Ali (علي)
MEANING
High, elevated, noble
PRONOUNCE
AA-lee
REFERENCE
Associated with Ali ibn Abi Talib, a cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and a highly respected figure in Islamic history
GENDER
Boy
ORIGIN
Arabic
RELIGION
Commonly used by Muslims
SHORT NAME
Ali is already short
LENGTH
3 letters; 1 word
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
Islamic baby girl names with meanings in English
8. Maryam Meaning in English
NAME
Maryam (مريم)
MEANING
The exact original etymology is debated; the name is honoured in Islam through Maryam’s exceptional status
PRONOUNCE
MAR-yam
REFERENCE
Maryam, mother of Prophet Isa (Jesus), peace be upon them; Surah Maryam is named after her, and she is named in the Qur’an
GENDER
Girl
ORIGIN
Ancient name used in Arabic and other languages
RELIGION
Muslim
SHORT NAME
Mari (informal)
LENGTH
6 letters; 1 word
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
9. Aisha Meaning in English
NAME
Aisha / Ayesha (عائشة)
MEANING
Living, alive, flourishing
PRONOUNCE
AA-ee-sha
REFERENCE
Aisha bint Abi Bakr, wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and an important transmitter of hadith
GENDER
Girl
ORIGIN
Arabic
RELIGION
Muslim
SHORT NAME
Ashi (informal)
LENGTH
5 letters in “Aisha”; 1 word
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
10. Fatimah Meaning in English
NAME
Fatimah / Fatima (فاطمة)
MEANING
Traditionally linked to the Arabic root meaning to wean or abstain; popular name references may give differing explanations
PRONOUNCE
FAA-ti-ma
REFERENCE
Fatimah, daughter of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
GENDER
Girl
ORIGIN
Arabic
RELIGION
Muslim
SHORT NAME
Fati (informal)
LENGTH
6 letters in “Fatima”; 1 word
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
11. Khadijah Meaning in English
NAME
Khadijah (خديجة)
MEANING
Traditional Arabic name; commonly explained in dictionaries as “born prematurely”
PRONOUNCE
kha-DEE-jah
REFERENCE
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, first wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the first person to accept his message according to Islamic tradition
GENDER
Girl
ORIGIN
Arabic
RELIGION
Muslim
SHORT NAME
Khadija or Khadi (informal)
LENGTH
8 letters in “Khadijah”; 1 word
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
12. Safiyyah Meaning in English
NAME
Safiyyah / Safiya (صفية)
MEANING
Pure, sincere, chosen or close friend, depending on the linguistic explanation
PRONOUNCE
sa-FEE-yah
REFERENCE
Safiyyah bint Huyayy, one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
GENDER
Girl
ORIGIN
Arabic
RELIGION
Muslim
SHORT NAME
Safi (informal)
LENGTH
7 letters in “Safiyyah”; 1 word
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
13. Asiyah Meaning in English
NAME
Asiyah / Asiya (آسية)
MEANING
The name’s linguistic meaning varies by source; it is widely valued for its association with a righteous woman in Islamic tradition
PRONOUNCE
AA-see-yah
REFERENCE
Asiyah is traditionally identified in Islamic teaching as the believing wife of Pharaoh, praised in hadith and later Islamic tradition
GENDER
Girl
ORIGIN
Used in Arabic and Muslim communities; etymology is discussed differently across sources
RELIGION
Commonly used by Muslims
SHORT NAME
Asi (informal)
LENGTH
6 letters in “Asiyah”; 1 word
LUCKY NUMBER / COLOUR / STONE
No verified Islamic basis
Popular Islamic names at a glance
NAME
GENDER
MEANING / ASSOCIATION
Imran
Boy
Qur’anic name associated with the family of Maryam
Abdullah
Boy
Servant of Allah
Abdur Rahman
Boy
Servant of the Most Merciful
Muhammad
Boy
Praised
Yusuf
Boy
Name of a prophet
Ibrahim
Boy
Name of a prophet
Ali
Boy
High, elevated, noble
Maryam
Girl
Mother of Prophet Isa; honoured in the Qur’an
Aisha
Girl
Living, flourishing
Fatimah
Girl
Daughter of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Khadijah
Girl
First wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Safiyyah
Girl
Pure, sincere; name of a wife of the Prophet ﷺ
Asiyah
Girl
Righteous woman in Islamic tradition
Should parents choose a name based on a lucky number or gemstone?
Many name websites list a lucky number, colour, day, metal or gemstone for each name. These lists often contradict one another and are not established by the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah as a way to decide whether a name is good. Muslims can choose a name because of its good meaning, family significance or association with a respected person, but should not treat numerology or gemstones as guarantees of luck, personality or future success.
Frequently asked questions about Islamic baby names
What are some good Islamic names for boys?
Common choices include Abdullah, Abdur Rahman, Muhammad, Yusuf, Ibrahim, Ali and Imran. Check the spelling and meaning you intend to use before registering the name.
What are some good Islamic names for girls?
Popular choices include Maryam, Aisha, Fatimah, Khadijah, Safiyyah and Asiyah, all of which have recognised associations in Muslim history or tradition.
Is Imran an Islamic name?
Yes. Imran is a Qur’anic personal name and is associated with the family of Maryam. The precise linguistic etymology and popular English meaning vary across references, so avoid presenting one disputed definition as certain.
Does Islam prescribe lucky numbers or lucky colours for names?
No established Qur’anic or authentic hadith rule assigns each baby name a lucky number, colour, gemstone or weekday. Such details on naming sites are cultural claims rather than verified Islamic guidance.
Disclaimer: This article is educational and is not a substitute for scholarly advice where a name’s meaning or religious status is disputed. Transliteration and etymology can vary between sources.
