There are many options when choosing an Arabic name for a girl.
In most cases, people pick rather sonorous names; names that sound unique, cool, royal, or nostalgic.
Interestingly, while the majority of Western names have started to lose touch with their etymological roots, Arabic names remain so attached to their semantic backgrounds that one could mistake them for normal adjectives.
In fact, most Arabic names are adjectives.
Arabic girl names tend to lean the most towards the category of traditional femininity.
They refer to beauty, royalty, honor, honesty, modesty, and religious faithfulness.
Today I’ll share some of the best and most popular Arabic names for girls.
As you go through this selection, here are a few things to consider:
- Not all names are Islamic: in fact, many names have Christian or Hebrew origins.
- Some names are pronounced differently in North African and the Middle Eastern Arabic dialects (different stress).
- Some names are more prevalent than others in certain regions of the Arab world.
- Names that rhyme as AA-EE-AA as in: Bahija, Saida, Dalila, Naziha, etc. are not as common as they used to be a decade ago.
Arabic names take you on a bit of a linguistic and historical trip because every name has its own story.
Hopefully you’ll look at your Arab friend and see them in a way that fits their name, or an otherwise ironic contradiction between their behavior and the meaning of their name. 😊
Arabic girl names in alphabetical order
The names listed here are by no means exhaustive. There are plenty more I could have listed.
On left side, you’ll see how the name is generally written in English and right next to it, you can see and hear how it’s pronounced.
The original Arabic is included along with its meaning.
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.
Also, be sure to check out my list of Arabic boy names as well.
Names starting with A
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Aalaa’ | aa-LAA’ | آَلَاء | Alaa is one of the particularly soothing Arabic names. It’s a classical namethat connotes “favor” or “blessing”. This name is also mentioned in Qur’aan,and people agree that it sounds beautiful. |
Abraar | Ab-RAAR | أَبْرَار | An adjective which means “honest” or “obedient”. It’s an adjective inthe plural form, and the single form is used in normal speech to referto obedient children. |
Adhkar | Adh-KAAR | أَذْكَار | If you are familiar with some of the basic Arabic phrases, then you may haveheard the phrase “adhkaar al Qur’aan”. Semantically speaking, adhkaar isa plural for “dhekr”, which is a prayer you say daily as a way to remindyourself of God’s blessings. As a name, “Adhkaar” describes someone who isloved by others and always remembered. |
Ahlaam | Ah-LAAM | أ َحْلَام | Plural for “holm” (dream). |
Aisha | 3a2-i-sha | عائشة | Name of the youngest wife of Muhammed and means “she who lives”. |
Amal | a-MAL | أَمَل | Amal means “hope”. It’s a nice name that’s widely common among girls,but it’s also given to boys- although to a much more restricted rate.Example of a male writer with a traditionally female name: Amal Donqol (Egyptian poet). |
Amina | AA-mina | آمِنَة | Historically speaking, Amina is a religious figure. She was Muhammed’swife. Semantically, it is an adjective that means “a peaceful person”,or “someone you feel peaceful and safe around”. |
Anissa | a-NEES-sa | أَنِيسَة | The name “Anissa” implies calmness and kindness. It also refers to anobedient, wise girl who keeps people good company. This is an old Arabicname that has been used in pre-Islamic literature. |
Aseel | a-SEEL | أسِيلْ | “Aseel” is an adjective that means “soft and gentle”. While referring topeople, Aseel is a girl who has soft and long cheeks. |
Asma | AS-ma | أَسْمَاء | Asmaa could refer to the plural form of the noun “Esm” (name). This namecan’t be used in the singular form. However, many argue that “Asmaa” asa plural for “Esm” doesn’t make sense because one can’t be lazy enoughto name their daughter “names”! They insist that “Asmaa” rather standsfor the noun “somoo”, which means “majesty”. Given the poetic nature ofall Arab names, assuming that “Asmaa” means “majesty” makes a lot moresense. |
Assya | AA-seya | آسيَة | In the Islamic narrative, Assya was the Pharaoh’s wife. Semantically, itrefers to someone who offers comfort and solace to others. It could alsoimply sadness and contemplation, but it’s always recommended to embracethe positive meaning of names. |
Athar | aa-THAAR | آثَار | A monument or a fossil. It also refers to shiny swords and metals. |
Areej | a-REEJ | أَرِيج | A classical name that means “something that smells nice and soothing.” |
Arwa | AR-waa | أَرْوَى | This is believed to be a verb which means “to water”. Arwa is someonewho is supposed to water the souls. |
Aya | AA-ya | أَيَة | The name “Aya” is one of the most prevalent Arabic names. It’sessentially religious in nature, and it means one or more of thefollowing: 1. A strong proof, 2. An exemplum or 3. A line from Qur’an |
Aysal | AY-sel | آيْسل | It is argued that Aysal is an archaic Turkish name that means“moonlight”. It also has Urdu roots. |
Azhar | Az-HAAR | أَزْهَار | Plural for “zahra” (flower). See singular version below. |
Names starting with B
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Baraa | Ba-RAA’ | بَرَاء | Someone who heals others, or someone who is innocent. |
Bouthayna | Bou-THAY-na | بُثَيْنَة | “Bouthayna” is an adjective that refers to fertility as well as toextremely pale complexions. The most popular “Bouthayna” in Arabicliterature is the poet Maamar’s lover. |
Basma | BASS-ma | بَسْمَة | This name means “a smile”, and it’s an authentic Arabic name. |
Balkiss | Bal-QEES | بَلْقِيسْ | In Islamic mythology, Queen Balkis is one of the most powerful women inhistory, which is something the Old Testament also approves of.Semantically, this name means deep agony and grief. |
Bahija | Ba-HEE-ja | بَهِيجَة | “Bahija” is an adjective that means extreme happiness and optimism. It’sa truly positive name, but it’s rarely given to female newborns anymore. |
Bodour | Bo-DOOR | بُدُور | “Bodour” is the plural form for “badr”, which means complete moon. InArabic literature, the moon metaphor is used to describe exquisitelybeautiful woman. |
Batool | Ba-TOOL | بَتُول | In Hebrew, this name means “God’s home”. In Arabic, it means a woman whorefuses to get married. In Christianity, Mary is described as “Batool”because she made herself available to God only. |
Names starting with D
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Dima | DEE-ma | دِيمَا | “Dima” has two meanings: -Rain with no thunder -Continuity and eternity |
Dina | DEE-na | دِينَا | A Hebrew name which means “female ruler”. Dina was also one of Jacob’sdaughters. In the English language, it refers to the girl coming fromthe valley. |
Danya | DAA-nya | دَانْيَة | A woman who is close to heart. |
Donya | DON-ya | دُنْيَا | The world, the present moment. It also refers to the beautiful things inlife. |
Dalal | Da-LAAL | دَلَال | Sexual attractiveness and provocative body movement. In some othercases, it may refer to wisdom. |
Dalila | Da-LEE-la | دَلِيلَة | A derivative of “Dalal”, except that this name also means “the guide,the coach, and the clear proof” |
Dorra | DOR-ra | دُرَّة | A very precious diamond |
Dorsaf | Dor-SAAF | دُرْصَاف | This name is composed of two halves: “Dorra”, which means “a diamond”,and “Saaf”, which means “pure and clean.” |
Doaa | Do-AA | دُعَاء | The prayer we say to God. It’s a highly encouraged activity in Islam,and it exposed our deepest desires and wishes to God. |
Damaa | DAM-aa | دَمْعَة | Semantically, this name means “a tear”, and refers to women to cryeasily. |
Dayana | Da-YAA-na | دَيَانَا | A Hindu-European name that’s widely used in the West. It’s also commonamong Arab Christians. In Greco-Roman mythology, Diana was the god ofbirth and fertility, and it also has Latin and Persian roots. |
Names starting with F
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Fadwa | FAD-wa | فَدْوَى | This name comes from the root “to sacrifice”. This name is a symbol ofselflessness and generosity |
Farah | fara7 | فَرَح | Joy. |
Fadia | FAA-dya | فَادْيَة | A derivative of Fadwa, also a largely used name in the Arab world. |
Fatima | FAA-tema | فَاطِمَة | Prophet Muhammed’s daughter, Fatima al Zahra’a, made her name extremelypopular among Arabs, and especially Shiite Muslims. Nowadays, “Fatima”is one of the most popular names in North Africa. |
Faouzia | Faou-ZEE-ya | فوزِيَّة | A derivative of the noun “fawz” (victory). This name refers tovictorious women who do not give up easily. |
Fairouz | Fai-ROOZ | فَيْرُوز | a Feiruz is a turquoise stone, and the Lebanese singer “Feiruz” helpedpeople look deeper into the meaning of this name and appreciate itsnatural connotations. |
Farida | Fa-REE-da | فَرِيدَة | The unique and pairless. |
Names starting with H
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Hadil | Ha-DEEL | هَدِيل | The sound of the dove. |
Heba | HE-ba | هبة | This name means “gift”, as in “gift from God”. |
Honayda | Hon-ayda | هُنيدَة | This name carries multiple meanings: (1) A derivative of “Hend”, whichmeans South Asia. (2) Two hundred years. (3) A reference to a populartown in Syria. |
Houda | Hou-DA | هُدَى | This name is one of the most sonorous names in the Arabic language. Itmeans “ethical guidance towards the right path”, but it can also mean“daylight”. |
Houyam | Hoo-YAAM | هُيَام | “Houyam” is one of the “lightest” names to pronounce in the language.However, people tend not to look into the real meaning of this name,which is: a disease that affects animals and causes them extremedehydration. However, it may also connote “love fever, being thirsty forlove.” |
Hend | Hend | هِنْد | Semantically, this name means “India”. Historically, however, it refersto the South Asia. Etymologically, this name refers to South Asia as aregion full of mysteries, wonders, and adventures. Over the time, thename “Hend” has started to acquire other concrete connotations relatedto power and authority. |
Haoura | Haw-RAA’ | حَوْرَاء | This name has many positive connotations: extreme beauty and delicacy,and it refers to the beautiful women in Paradise. |
Haifa | HAI-fa | هَيْفَاء | “Haifa” is a descriptive name of a woman with a small waist and flatstomach. Earlier in history, Arabs used to say it as “Al Hayfa” toemphasize the descriptive aspect to it. The female poet Hayfa AlQodhaeya made this name popular. |
Hala | HAA-la | هَالَة | The faint circular ring that surrounds the moon is called “Hala”. It’sargued that the origins of this name are Greek from “Alos”, as areference to the halo. |
Hala | Ha-LA | حَلَاء | In semantic terms, “Hala” connotes sweetness. As a name, it refers togood-looking and well-spoken women. This versatile name also means“jewelry” or “moon”. |
Hanin | Ha-NEEN | حَنِين | A noun which means “longing (to someone)” |
Habiba | Ha-BEE-ba | حَبِيبَة | “Habiba” refers to a beloved woman. This name is common in North Africa,and it connotes a mother’s love to her daughter. |
Halima | Ha-LEE-ma | حَلِيمَة | From the word “holm”, which means “wisdom and patience”, and it’s one ofAllah’s names. |
Names starting with I
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Insaf | En-SAAF | إنْصَاف | A noun that means fairness and justice. |
Ishraq | Esh-RAAQ | إشْرَاق | Means “shine”. This name implies a bright and happy person full of shineand positivity. |
Islam | Es-LAAM | إسْلَام | This is name that both men and women wear with pride. As the namesuggests, “Islam” is someone who surrenders to Allah, and it’s one ofthe humble names in the language. |
Names starting with J
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Jocanda | Jo-CAN-da | جُوكَنْدَا | A woman with a mesmerizing smile. |
Jalila | Ja-LEE-la | جَلِيلَة | This name comes from the root “Jalal”, which means “a highly respected,generous, and wise woman”. It also refers to women who think well beforemaking decisions. |
Jenan | Je-NAAN | جِنَان | This is one of the most desired names in the Arab world because it’splural for “heaven” (Jannah). It also refers to safety, shadow, anddarkness. |
Jomana | Jo-MAA-na | جُمَانَة | A Persian name that means “a silver diamond” and, therefore, a valuablegirl or woman. It’s also argued that it has Latin origins. |
Joud | Jood | جُودْ | “Joud” is a name that falls under the Noun (N) category to mean “ahighly generous person who doesn’t expect favors in return”. It alsorefers to heavy rain. |
Jamila | Ja-MEE-la | جَمِيلَة | An adjective that describes a beautiful woman. This name is commonlyused in North Africa. |
Names starting with K
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Khadija | khadija | خَدِيجَة | Name of one of the wives of Muhammed and its meaning may connote“premature birth”. |
Khaoula | KHAOU-la | خَوْلَة | This name means “the beautiful newborn” who grows into a strong andconfident young woman. |
Kholoud | Khou-LOOD | خُلُود | A synonym to “eternity”. It means “a woman who doesn’t age over time,and who retains her beauty and youth as if she never grows old; neverdies.” |
Khayria | Khay-REE-ya | خَيْرِيَّة | A derivative of the noun “khayr”, which means goodness and generosity.“Khayria” is a generous and virtuous woman who helps the poor. |
Names starting with L
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Lamya | LAM-ya | لَمْيَاء | This name has two meanings: “a very polite and beautiful girl” and “askinny girl”. |
Lamiss | La-MEESS | لَمِيسْ | A derivative of the noun “malmass”, meaning, “touch”. “Lamiss” is awoman who is very soft to the touch. |
Lina | LEE-na | لِينَا | Short for Carolina or Majdoline, and it means “a fatal woman.” Lina isone of the most common names in the world. |
Layan | La-YAAN | لَيَان | An Arabic name that’s likeable thanks to its sonorous nature. It’s aderivative of the verb “laan”, which means “to be wealthy”. This namealso means softness and delicacy. |
Layla | LAY-la | لَيْلَى | The feeling of tipsiness, dark wine, and drunkenness. |
Names starting with M
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Mawadda | Ma-WAD-da | مَوَدَّة | This name means “affection”, “love”, and “loyalty.” |
Mona | mo-NA | منى | An Islamic name meaning “wish” or “desire”. |
Names starting with N
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Noor | nur | نور | Name used by boys and girls meaning “light”. |
Noora | nura | نورا | A feminine variant of Noor. |
Names starting with S
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Sarra | SAR-ra | سَارَّة | An Aramaic name that means “a princess or a noble lady.” |
Saida | Sa-EE-da | سَعِيدَة | Semantically, this name means “happiness”. It is less extreme than“Bahija”, and is also one of the names that is getting less common bythe day. This name is common in North Africa, but extremely rare to findin the Middle East. |
Soad | So-AAD | سُعَاد | A derivative of “Saida”, but it also means “good smelling”. |
Soumaya | Sou-MAY-ya | سُمَيَّة | A derivative of “sema”(N), which means a special trait or mark. As aname, it refers to a polite girl. This name is more prevalent in NorthAfrica. |
Soulayma | Sou-LAY-ma | سُلَيْمَة | A derivative of the name “Salma” which means “peace.” |
Samya | SAA-mya | سَامِيَة | One of the most common names in the Arab world, and it means “a highlynoble and ethical woman”. |
Syrine | See-REEN | سِيرِين | In Greek etymology, Syrine is the daughter of the Goddess of art. Thisname epitomizes beauty in Greek, and fullness in Arabic. |
Salsabeel | Salsa-BEEL | سَلْسَبِيل | This is a name in the adjective form, and it’s used to describe fineliquids such as wine and good water. “Salsabeel” is a divine pure riverthat’s also mentioned in Qur’an. |
Salma | SAL-ma | سَلْمَى | Means “a safe and loyal person”. Historically, Salma was Saad Ben Waqas’wife. |
Sahar | Sa-HAR | سَحَر | The final part of the night, and it comes just before dawn. Sahar is awidely common name. |
Sondos | SON-dos | سُنْدُس | A Persian name referring to old clothing that’s made out of brocade. |
Samira | Sa-MEE-ra | سَمِيرَة | An authentic Arabic name that means “someone who likes to stay up lateand keep people company.” |
Sandra | SAN-dra | سَانْدْرَا | Of Greek origin, short for “Alexandra” or “Casandra”, and it means “thefemale protector.” |
Names starting with T
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Taysir | Tay-SEER | تَيْسِير | A woman who is easy going, and who doesn’t complicate things. |
Tala | TAA-la | تَالَا | This name refers to little palm trees, and it also connotes youth andbeauty. |
Tahani | Ta-HAA-ny | تَهَانِي | This name is used to congratulate people, and it has many positive andhappy connotations, which explains why it’s so popular in the Arabworld. |
Tajweed | Taj-WEED | تَجْوِيد | The art of Quran recitation. |
Tawba | TAW-ba | تَوْبَة | Is name means “repentance”, or “a return to Allah’s values”. |
Tasneem | Tas-NEEM | تَسْنِيم | Luxurious water in Paradise. |
Tamara | Ta-MAA-ra | تَمَارَة | A Hebrew name that means “dates” (date palm). |
Taqwa | TAQ-waa | تَقْوَى | Someone who fears God and obeys him. This name is mentioned inAl-Baqara, which justifies its popularity among Muslims. |
Tina | TEE-na | تِينَا | Short for Christina, meaning “a woman who believes in Christ”. “Tina” isthought to be an easier name to spell and pronounce, but it retains thesame meaning as in “Christina”. |
Names starting with W
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Waad | Waad | وَعْد | Commitment to promises. This name is a noun that can be used in theplural form in normal senses, but not in proper nouns. |
Wajd | WAJ-d | وَجد | Extreme longing and desire. |
Widad | We-DAAD | وِدَاد | This name connotes love and longing. It’s a highly romantic name, butit’s not as popular as it used to be in the past. |
Names starting with Y
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Yasmin | Yas-MEEN | يَاسَمِين | Jasmine |
Yara | YAA-ra | يَارَا | This name has Phoenician roots, and it means “the lover”. In Urdu, itmeans “daughter of the spring”, or “the pure girl”. |
Yomna | YOM-na | يُمْنَى | A girl who uses her right hand. Using the right hand is emblematic ofgood fortune and abundance. |
Yosra | YOS-raa | يُسْرَى | This name used to be popular in the 80s and the 90s, but it’s not commonanymore. It is a derivative of “Yosr”, which means “ease”. |
Names starting with Z
Name in English | Pronunciation | Arabic Spelling | Meaning and Etymology |
---|---|---|---|
Zaida | za2ida | زائدة | One who ‘gives’ or is ‘generous’. |
Zaina | zaina | زينة | This one can mean ‘good’ or ‘beautiful’. |
Zainab | zainab | زينب | Fragrant flower. |
Zahra | zahra2 | زهراء | Beautiful or shining. Not to be confused with similar-sounding name“زهرة” which means flower. |
Female Arabic names are beautiful
Girl names in Arabic are beautiful, expressive and in most cases, religiously significant.
Many of them go back to Islamic and even pre-Islamic Arabia, though you’ll find the names used by other religious groups too (and as I’ve mentioned, some have origins in Persia/Farsi and elsewhere).
If you’re expecting a girl, maybe consider one of the names listed above. 😊
Did I miss any important ones?
Share it below.
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