Choosing an Islamic baby name

Choose a good name

The Federal Territories Mufti Office, in Bayan Linnas No. 78 (15 November 2016), states that Islam encourages parents to choose good names, with Abdullah, Abdurrahman, Muhammad and Hammad as examples. Parents are free to choose, but bad or vile names should be avoided. The statement also stresses that when a name is carried over from Arabic or another language, its meaning must be checked in the source language. For instance, the Arabic letters ‘ain and alif are often written as a plain “A” in Latin script, which can change pronunciation and meaning. Every name page on this site gives the language of origin and links the source of the meaning. To browse names by their language of origin, open the lists of Arabic-origin girl names and Arabic-origin boy names, which describe where a name comes from, not the religion of anyone who bears it.

Abdul and the names of Allah

Abdul means “servant” and, according to Wikipedia (Malay names), must be followed by one of the Qur'anic names of God, as in Abdul Haqq. Wikipedia (Arabic name) explains that the form ʿabd + a name of God, such as Abdullah, Abdulaziz and Abdulrahman, is a common name form among Arabs. A hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari says God has ninety-nine names (Asma'ul Husna), but the list differs between sources and there is no universal agreement on the number (Wikipedia: Names of God in Islam). So do not be surprised if two name books list different Abdul options. See the element Abdul and the compound examples Abdul Rahman and Abdullah.

Names that call for care

Wikipedia (Arabic name) quotes Barbara Metcalf that one must avoid names whose ambiguity suggests something unlawful, and that scholars forbid names such as Abd al-Nabi (“servant of the Prophet”), although such names are accepted in some areas. Both views are reported here; neither is a Malaysian fatwa. If you are unsure, ask your state mufti or local religious office. Note also that the Federal Territories Mufti Office, discussing the name Damia and its varied sources, states that a non-Arabic origin is not an obstacle if the meaning is good, since religion does not forbid a name that does not carry a bad meaning.

Common Malaysian patterns

According to Bernama (26 March 2025), Muhammad, Abdul, Nur and Siti are among the most registered names, and these are commonly followed by a second name. Wikipedia (Malay names) explains why: very popular names such as Muhammad, Ahmad, Nur and Siti made second names necessary, for example Muhammad Osman or Nur Mawar. Nur, Nurul, Noor and Nor are the most common first elements in female double names, while Muhammad is a male first element. Nur means “light” in Arabic, and al-Nur is one of the ninety-nine names of God (Behind the Name). You can browse these elements with their compounds on the name elements page and the list of Malay names.

Common name elements

When to name a baby

Al-Kafi #1179 (Federal Territories Mufti Office) says a newborn may be named at any time after birth and no particular time is forbidden. It is best to name on the day of birth, while the seventh day can be used to announce the name and suits the aqiqah. The article records three views: the seventh day (the majority of the Shafi'i, Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali schools), the day of birth (some Shafi'i and Hanbali scholars, citing the Prophet naming his son Ibrahim on the night he was born), and the seventh day if an aqiqah is held then, otherwise earlier (the choice of Imam al-Bukhari). Ibn al-Qayyim is quoted as saying there is flexibility. In Malaysia birth registration has its own deadlines; see the JPN name registration rules.

One word or two

Bayan Linnas No. 78 advises parents to avoid long compound names and to keep to one or two words because names are often shortened, and to use the full name in daily life so its meaning is preserved. Wikipedia (Malay names) explains that the first element is sometimes dropped, so Nur Mawar binti Abdul Haqq can appear as Mawar Haqq. The statement also recommends that JPN record Muslim children's names in both Rumi and Jawi, but that is a mufti recommendation, not a current rule.

Changing names, and where views differ

The same Bayan Linnas states that a name with a poor meaning may be changed when there is a benefit, citing the Prophet changing ‘Asiah (disobedient) to Jamilah (beautiful) in the Abu Dawud narration, and Hazn (sorrow) to Sahl (ease) in al-Bukhari. Scholars also differ on other points. In Irsyad Al-Hadith No. 410, three views are reported on the kunyah Abu al-Qasim (prohibited absolutely, permitted absolutely, or prohibited only for someone named Muhammad), and the author leans towards the view that allows it. For a child born out of wedlock, the 1981 National Fatwa Committee ruling prescribes bin or binti Abdullah, but Sisters in Islam (2020) reports that the muftis of Perlis and Penang took a different approach. We report the views without choosing between them.

Questions to discuss before choosing

• What does the name mean in its original language?

  Check a dictionary or database, not only a baby-name list. Each of our name pages lists its sources.

• How will it be written and pronounced?

  Latin spelling can hide Arabic letters. See the spelling guide.

• Will the combination shorten well?

  The mufti advises short names because names are often shortened.

• Who can you ask?

  Your state mufti or an asatizah, as Bayan Linnas advises.

Frequently asked questions

Sources