Arabic culture is one that’s steeped in rich tradition, age-old customs, and profound wisdom. It’s a culture that prides itself on its language, known for its fluidity, poetry, and profound depth of meaning. This richness extends into Arabic names, where every name is a story unto itself, a grand narrative that carries sentiments, values, and ancestral heritage.
In Arabic culture, a person’s name is more than just a label; it’s a story, a tribute, an ode to the lineage and legacy that they carry with them. Names are often infused with profound meanings, chosen for their significance and their embodiment of virtues such as bravery, wisdom, or honor. The selection of names, often guided by religious and moral principles, tells a tale about the family’s values and hopes for their child.
Surnames in Arabic culture, much like first names, are deeply meaningful and carry significant weight. They often denote lineage, profession, or geographical origin. For instance, “Al-Baghdadi” refers to someone from Baghdad, and “Al-Hakim” suggests a family of wise or learned individuals. In creating names for your Arabic characters, understanding this layer of depth can add authenticity and dimension to their persona.
Good Arabic Names
What makes a good Arabic name? A good Arabic name is one that carries a strong, positive meaning, aligns with the family’s heritage, and sounds pleasant to the ear. It should be a name that the child can carry with pride and honor throughout their life.
- Neeshaan el-Shahid
- Salmaan el-Naderi
- Wajeeb al-Sharaf
- Mawdood el-Laham
- Nawfal el-Naderi
- Abdul Noor el-Bashir
- Noori al-Can
- Hakam al-Shabazz
- Yoonus al-Salem
Subhi al-Yousuf
Subhi works hard. Studying comes naturally to him but that isn’t enough by itself to secure a place at a top-tier university. And Subhi really wants to go into academia. He knows it’s not the smartest choice, financially, but it’s what he wants to do.
- Nizaam el-Abbas
- Dhareef al-Matar
- Adnaan el-Sahli
- Sakeen al-Semaan
- Abdul Jaleel el-Assad
- Raashid al-Ramin
- Sufyaan el-Hamdan
- Azhaar el-Husain
- Taajuddeen al-Fares
Naaif al-Aman
Naaif never takes for granted the opportunity provided by their parents moving to a new country. They would not have been able to come out as non-binary, otherwise, and would not have had the chance to become a journalist. But they still appreciate and respect their culture. It’s not something they want to lose.
- Taahir el-Bilal
- Kameel el-Meskin
- Imraan al-Arif
- Daamir al-Reza
- Raaji al-Rizk
Female Arabic Names
Choosing a name for a baby girl is a joyous occasion in Arabic culture.Female names are often beautiful, delicate, and hold a deep and powerful meaning. They’re chosen to symbolize the family’s love and hope for their newborn daughter, often infused with wishes of prosperity, strength, and beauty.
- Sabiyya el-Sarwar
- Nadiyya al-Ahmad
- Urwa al-Hameed
- Raita al-Hariri
- Misbaah al-Rayes
- Rafeeda el-Barakat
- Minnah el-Sayed
- Ghaidaa el-Gad
- Hiwaaya al-Khalili
Radwa el-Amin
Radwa got her business degree in London, but then returned home to build her trading company. Focusing on imports and exports, Radwa has made a great name for herself. She hopes to take some of theprofits she is making and establish a fund to encourage other women to start businesses.
- Samraa el-Aziz
- Ghaaliba al-Hosein
- Naseefa al-Akel
- Waneesa el-Yamin
- Ghaada el-Abu
- Mahdhoodha el-Jamal
- Tawfeeqa al-Baddour
- Faseeha al-Haider
- Qisma el-Rabbani
Hakeema el-Sahli
Hakeema is a daughter of wealth, though she does not have as many privileges as she might like. Her marriage is already arranged, which, frankly, was a relief. She’s guaranteed to bring advantage to her family and so she won’t have to feel guilty secretly pursuing her own interests.
- Saalima el-Ahmadi
- Amal el-Salloum
- Sanad el-Hares
- Rutaiba el-Chahine
- Muna al-Sultan
Male Arabic Names
In Arabic tradition, male names are often robust, powerful, and hold significant meaning. They symbolize virtues such as bravery, wisdom, and resilience, embodying the family’s aspiration for their sons.
- Zayyaan al-Momin
- Rushdi el-Azer
- Talha al-Hafeez
- Furqaan al-Mirza
- Wajeeh el-Baluch
- Taariq el-Jabara
- Shukri al-Jabbar
- Nadeem el-Hashemi
- Salmaan el-Kader
Izzaddeen el-Dada
Farming is hard work, but it’s important work. Would Izzaddeen trade it for a life of luxury? Of course he would, but one isn’t going to just be handed to him, is it? So he works, and he expects his children to work. Though that might result in conflict sooner rather than later.
- Shuaib al-Abdullah
- Aqeel el-Saba
- Naaif el-Rahmani
- Subhi el-Assaf
- Aabid el-Safar
- Raaid el-Kaiser
- Badruddeen al-Aly
- Khaleel al-Sadri
- Maazin el-Salah
Zaki el-Lodi
Zaki thought he knew what was right. He thought the words he had read since a child were simple, easy to understand. Right and wrong were clear cut. But now? Now that he’s faced war, and conflict? He’s not so sure anymore. But what can he do to change things? Or to get that certainty back?
- Ghaalib el-Muhammad
- Suhail el-Kader
- Jameel el-Mourad
- Zuhair el-Jafari
- Miqdaam el-Momin
How often do you use Arabic characters or countries in your games? DO you draw on the Arab world as inspiration for any of your campaigns? What are your favorite strategies for coming up with good Arabic names? Let us know in the comments!
