Choosing a Muslim child’s name is often treated as an act of faith, family memory and hope, rather than simply a search for something distinctive or attractive. Names can express the qualities parents wish their children to carry throughout their lives.
Many Muslim families choose names linked to a virtue, the Prophet Muhammad, his family, his companions or other figures from Islamic history. Such choices can reflect admiration for courage, compassion, wisdom and devotion, while keeping those stories alive for a new generation.
Common boys’ names include Muhammad, Ahmed, Musa, Ali, Hassan, Hussain, Hamza, Omer and Osman. The prefix “Abdul”, meaning “servant of”, is also widely used with an attribute of God, as in Abdul Rahman, “servant of the Most Gracious”, and Abdul Karim, “servant of the Most Generous”.
Girls’ names such as Maryam, Fatima, Khadija, Zaineb and Sumaiya are associated with members of the Prophet’s family or respected companions. For parents living in Western countries, these names can provide a link to Islamic tradition and earlier generations, although pronunciation and spelling may also be considered.
Naureen Choudhry knows that balance from personal experience. Her parents initially named her Noor-ul-Ain, meaning “Light of the Eyes”, but later changed it to Naureen when completing her passport documents after travelling to the UK. The original name did not fit easily into a first-, middle- and last-name format, although its root meaning was retained.
Names may also honour ancestors, admired Muslim public figures or celebrities. In doing so, they can become a bridge between generations, as well as a reflection of a family’s origins and values.
Choudhry recalled a friend whose baby girl remained unnamed for a week after her birth. “All names are beautiful,” the friend said, “but no name is beautiful enough for your own child.”
When Choudhry’s own children were born, her husband’s mother was given the honour of naming their first child, while her mother named the second. The decision connected the children with their grandparents and with generations that came before them.
For Muslim families, a name can therefore carry several meanings at once: faith, character, heritage, admiration and hope. It is also a way of welcoming a child into a family’s continuing story.
Choudhry is a community leader and recipient of the Victorian government’s Meritorious Service Award for Excellence in Multicultural Affairs.
