How to Name a Child in Islam

Question

What are the guidelines in Islam for naming a newborn child? Which names are most encouraged, and which should be avoided?

Short Summary

Islam encourages giving children good, meaningful names that reflect faith, virtue, and dignity. The most beloved names to Allah are ʿAbdullah and ʿAbd al-Raḥmān. Names of prophets, righteous people, and virtuous meanings are recommended. Names with bad meanings, exclusive divine names, or names implying servitude to anyone other than Allah should be avoided.

Key Points

• Sunnah to name on the seventh day, but naming at birth is also valid.

• Best names: ʿAbdullah, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, and other “ʿAbd” names of Allah.

• Recommended: Prophets, righteous people, virtuous qualities.

• Avoid: Bad meanings, exclusive divine names, servitude to other than Allah, and names of oppressors.

Detailed Answer

A name is both a person’s identity and a reflection of their values. In Islam, it serves as a marker of faith and an honor to be upheld in this world and the next.

When to Name the Child

It is Sunnah to name the child on the seventh day after birth, alongside shaving the head and offering the ʿAqīqah. Naming on the day of birth is also permissible.
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd 2838)

Most Beloved Names

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The most beloved names to Allah are ʿAbdullah and ʿAbd al-Raḥmān.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2132)

Other recommended names include those starting with “ʿAbd” followed by one of Allah’s names — such as ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz or ʿAbd al-Karīm.

Other Recommended Names

• Names of prophets: Ibrāhīm, Mūsā, ʿĪsā, Muḥammad.

• Names of righteous people and Companions.

• Names with virtuous meanings: Ṣāliḥ (righteous), Ḥasan (good), Amīnah (trustworthy).

Names to Avoid

• Names with bad or inappropriate meanings.

• Names implying servitude to other than Allah (e.g., ʿAbd al-Nabī, ʿAbd al-Ḥusayn).

• Names exclusive to Allah (e.g., al-Khāliq, al-Raḥmān).

• Names of tyrants or notorious sinners (e.g., Firʿawn, Abū Lahab).

Importance of Meaning

The Prophet ﷺ would change names that carried bad meanings, as in the case recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6190. This shows that a name should inspire goodness, dignity, and honor.

What This Means for You

Choose names that are meaningful, dignified, and rooted in Islamic tradition. A name shapes a person’s identity and can be a source of blessing for them in this life and the Hereafter.

And Allah Knows Best

References

Primary Sources:

• Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2132

• Sunan Abī Dāwūd 2838

• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6190

Secondary Sources:

• Ibn al-Qayyim, Tuhfat al-Mawdūd bi-Aḥkām al-Mawlūd