Word roots

Names by Arabic root

Arabic words are built from roots, usually three letters. Names from one root share those letters and a related core meaning.

Roots with a page: 93
Names in root families: 618
Largest family: ḥ-s-n · 20
All sourced roots: 446

Many names used in Malaysia come from Arabic words built on a three-letter root. Ahmad, Hamid and Mahmud, for example, all come from the root ح م د, which relates to praise. Pick a root to see its related names, each name's meaning and the sources.

Roots in Arabic alphabetical order

In Arabic alphabetical order, read right to left, starting with ء ل ف.

The 20 largest root families

Number of names with a page in this reference for each root. Different Latin spellings count separately.

An Arabic root describes how a word is built. It says nothing about the background of anyone who bears the name. Each name's root comes from a dictionary that states it (Wiktionary, the Sultan Qaboos Encyclopedia of Arab Names, Salmoné), listed below. Roots with at least 4 names have their own page. Borrowed names such as Sulaiman, Adam and Imran are not placed in any root family.

Frequently asked questions

What is an Arabic root?

Most Arabic words are built from a root of three letters (sometimes four). The root letters stay, while vowels, prefixes and suffixes change the meaning: ح م د gives Hamid, Ahmad and Mahmud.

Which roots have the most names?

ḥ-s-n (ح س ن): 20 names; s-l-m (س ل م): 18 names; ḥ-m-d (ح م د): 17 names.

Where do these roots come from?

Each name's root comes from a dictionary that states it (Wiktionary, the Sultan Qaboos Encyclopedia of Arab Names, Salmoné), listed below. Roots with at least 4 names have their own page. Borrowed names such as Sulaiman, Adam and Imran are not placed in any root family.

Does a root say anything about a person?

An Arabic root describes how a word is built. It says nothing about the background of anyone who bears the name.