The Glory of Muslim Names - Past and Future

The Muslim world is one where intellect and the quest for knowledge are looked upon as one of the most important qualities a man can posses. For this reason, a wide range of given names represent aspects of wisdom:

Zamir, a boy name meaning thought

Basir, a name meaning wise

Najib, a name meaning intelligent and the name of a famous Egyptian writer Najib Mahpuoj

The scorching sun, deserts, and the open wilderness and isolated water points are the natural environment of the Arab gulf, the birth place of Islam. As a result, names were given that symbolized profusion and plenty. Names such as Yam, a boy name that means ocean, Randa, meaning desert tree, and Zahara, a name meaning "flower" that is usually bestowed on girls, show the importance of nature in the Arab and Muslim cultures.

The Arab culture has made great contributions and achievements in astronomy. Given names honoring these contributions are in popular use. Adhara and Suhayl are popular girl names and the names of stars discovered by Muslim astronomers. Tariq, an extremely popular boy name that means morning star, Hala, which means moon and Alya meaning sky are all very popular names.

Arab babies are looked upon as kings and queens. Salma, which translates to whole and grand, Mona, meaning little noble one, and Aida, which means a princess are baby girl names with an air of royalty. Muslim parents choose names with the intention to influence their child's destiny:

Maleec, a name meaning king

Aamir, a baby boy name that means prince

Kareem, a name meaning noble

The Arab and Muslim world are in a great conflict between the influence of the contemporary Western society and the old regimes. Babies are our future. May it be that these peaceful, elegant names will set the tone for future relations between the Arab and Western world. As the famous Muslim boxer Mohammed Ali once said, "Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams. They have different names but all contain water. Religions have different names, but all contain truth."