Increasing numbers of African Americans are converting to Islam and this has led to the adoption of many Muslim or Arabic names. Black families in other countries, including Britain, are also following these trends. Alternative spellings and variant forms are found.
| Aakash
Salid hard/strong Ajmal Faizan Farhan Farzain |
Aasim
Zakir |
Abbas, Abaas stern, austere |
| Abraar
Salil, Saleel son/boy |
Aeta, Aet | Ahin |
| Alam | Alfattha | Amaan |
| Amal | Arash | Asim, Asem |
| Azani, Azzan
Zali 'strong in the arm' |
Azin, Azino | Baharuden |
| Bajah Bay'jah | Daray | Dukhan, Dukwane 'smoke' |
| Hazir | Hiban | Ibad, Ibado |
| Ibban, Iban | Ilce, Ilce | Illiya, Iliya |
| Intisar, Entesar | Irfaan, Irfan | Isami |
| Izzat, Izatt | Jagir, Jagher | Jahad |
| Jahan | Jakeeheem | Jakeel |
| Janty | Jaran | Jibril |
| Jubair Jo'baer
Rashiq, Rasheik Raziq |
Kalif | Kamarri |
| Kanz, Kanzan | Karna | Laun |
| Lor | Maaz | Maimun |
| Malik, Marlik | Masra | Mirzi |
| Muaid
Razi, Rase Raz |
Nair, Nyair | Naji, Najae safety |
| Nauroz, Newroz | Naushah, Naushair | Nawar, Navar |
| Nazim | Nirav | Nuam |
| Nursalam | Qambar, Qamber | Raghib, Raquib |
| Raghu | Rahul | Raneef |
| Sabas | Sabin | Sahil |
| Sarab, Sarabi | Sarak, Sarrak | Saran, Saraun Saron |
| Shap, Shep | Shaya, Shay | Siraj |
| Siran
Shahir, Shaher Shakim Shalha, Shallah Shemar |
Sirat
Jawad Rajaieh Rakhim, Rakeem Tashir, Tayseer |
Tauqeer, Thai'quer |
| Usaamah, Usama lion | Uyun, Uyoung | Wadih |
| Waniya,Wanya | Wusul, Woosol | Zah |
| Zaudan | Zohaib |
Abdul/Abdullah servant of Allah
| Abdal | Abdalah | Abdalla |
| Abdallah | Abdeel | Abdel |
| Abdelazim | Abdelaziz | Abdirahman |
| Abdolrahem | Abdoul | Abdu |
| Abdual | Abdualla | Abdulah |
| Abdulahi | Abdularahman | Abdulazaz |
| Abdulazeez | Abdulaziz | Abdulrahman |
| Abdurrcahman | Abdurran | Abul |
Ahmed 'hamida' - to praise
| Achmad | Achmed | Ahamad |
| Ahamada | Ahamed | Ahmaad |
| Ahmad | Ahmaud | Amad |
| Amahd | Amed | Amit |
Akil
| Ahkeel | Akeel | Akeyla |
| Akhil | Akhileshwa | Akiel |
| Akili | Akiyl | Aqeel |
Aladdin 'height of religion'
| Ala | Alaa | Alaaddin |
| Aladean | Aladino |
Ali aliy - sublime, exalted
| Alai | Aly |
Asad as'ad - happier/luckier
| Asaad | Asid | Assad |
| Azad |
Asim protector, guardian
| Aseem | Azeem |
Bashir Turkish Basir 'intelligent, discerning'
| Bashar | Basheer | Bashiyr |
| Basir | Bechir | Bhasheer |
Bijan
| Bihjan | Bijann |
Faysal fasala - to separate (a judge)
| Faisal | Faisel | Faisi |
| Faisil | Faizal | Fasel |
| Fasil | Fayzal | Fayzel |
Faruq faraqa - to make a distinction
| Farook | Farooq | Farouk |
| Faru | Faruk | Faruqh |
Hamid praising/thankful
| Haamid | Hamadi | Hamdrem |
| Hamed | Hameed | Hamidi |
| Hammad | Hammed | Humayd |
Harun exalted/lofty
| Haarun | Harin | Haron |
| Haroon | Harron | Haroun |
Hashim destroying/crushing
| Haashim | Hasheem |
Hasan beautiful/good
| Hasaan | Hasain | Hasanex |
| Hasani | Hashaan | Hasin |
| Hason | Hassan | Hassen |
| Hassian | Hassin | Hazen |
Husayn diminutive of Hasan
| Hisein | Hossain | Hossein |
| Husain | Husani | Husein |
| Husian | Hussain | Hussein |
| Hussein | Hussien |
Hykeem
| Hykeim | Ikeem |
Jabir comforter/consoler
| Jabaar | Jabar | Jabare |
| Jabari | Jabbar | Jabier |
| Jabiri | Jabori | Jabri |
| Jabrion |
Jafar stream
| Ja'far | Jafar | Jafari |
| Jafe | Jaffar |
Jalal greatness
| Jahlee | Jahleel | Jahlil |
| Jalaal | Jaleel | Jalil |
Jamal jamula - to be handsome/good-looking
| Gamal | Gamali | Gamall |
| Jahmal | Jahmall | Jahmalle |
| Jam | Jama | Jamaal |
| Jamael | Jamahl | Jamail |
| Jamala | Jamale | Jamall |
| Jammal | Jarmal | Jaumal |
| Jemaal | Jemael | Jemal |
| Jemale |
Jamil beautiful, handsome
| Gamil | Jahmel | Jahmil |
| Jahmile | Jameel | Jamel |
| Jamele | Jamell | Jamelle |
| Jamereal | Jamiel | Jamiell |
| Jamielle | Jamil | Jamile |
| Jamill | Jamille | Jammel |
| Jamyl | Jarmel | Jarmil |
| Jaumell | Jemehyl | Je-Mell |
| Jemel | Jemell | Jemelle |
| Jemeyle | Jermael | Jermail |
| Jermal | Jermaul | Jermel |
| Jermell | Jimel | Jimell |
| Jimelle | Jimmil |
Khalil best friend
| Kahleil | Kahlel | Kahlelle |
| Kahlil | Kahlill | Kaleel |
| Kalel | Kalil | Khalee |
| Khaleel | Khali | Khalial |
Khaliq creative
| Kaliq | Khalique |
Kamal/Kamil kamula - to be perfect
| Kamaal | Kamal | Kameel |
| Kamel |
Karim noble/generous
| Careem | Karam | Kareem |
| Karem | Kareme | Karriem |
| Kerrim |
Kasim divided
| Kasceem | Kaseem | Kasem |
| Kaseym | Kassim | Kazeem |
| Kyeseam |
Khalid eternal, undying
| Kahled | Khaalid |
Khayri charitable/benevolent
| Khayru | Khiri | Khiry |
| Kiry |
Latif kind/gentle
| Al Latif | Lateef | Letif |
Majid glorious/illustrious
| Majdi | Majed | Majeed |
Masud lucky/fortunate
| Masood | Masoud | Mhasood |
Mohammed praiseworthy
| Mahamadou | Mahammed | Mahmed |
| Mahmood | Mahmoud | Mahmud |
| Mahomet | Mehemet | Mehmet |
| Mohamad | Mohamed | Mohamedhas |
| Mohamet | Mohamid | Mohammad |
| Mohammadi | Mohammd | Mohammid |
| Mohanad | Mohmad | Mouhamadou |
| Mouhamed | Mouhamoin | Mouhaned |
| Muhamad | Muhamet | Muhammad |
| Muhammadali | Muhammed | Muhanad |
| Muhannad |
Mustapha chosen/selected
| Mostafa | Mostaffa | Moustafa |
| Mustafa | Mustafah |
Nabil noble/honourable
| Nabeel | Nabiel |
Naim content/happy
| Naeem | Naiym | Nam |
| Nieem |
Najib highborn/distinguished
| Najeeb | Nejeeb |
Nasin form of Nasir
| Naseen | Nashean | Nason |
Nasir supporter/one who helps to make victorious
| Naseer | Nasser | Nassor |
| Nazeh | Nazhje | Nazz |
Nur light
| Nery | Noori | Nour |
| Nuri | Nuris | Nurism |
Nuria from Nur
| Nuriah | Nuriel | Nuriya |
Piran wise man
| Peran | Pieran | Pirro |
Rabi fragrant breeze
| Rabbi | Rabee | Rabiah |
| Rabih |
Ra'd thunder or Rª d brave/charitable (Germanic - advice, Slavic - happy)
| Radbert | Radd | Raddie |
| Raddy | Radell | Radey |
Rafi exalted
| Raffee | Raffi | Raffy |
Rafiq friend/companion or gentle/kind
| Rafeeq | Rafic | Rafique |
Rahim compassionate
| Rachim | Raheem | Raheim |
| Rahiem | Ra-Keem | Reem |
Rakham Aramaic pity/compassion/mercy
| Racham | Rachaman | Rachamin |
| Rachman | Rachmiel | Rachum |
| Raham | Rahamin | Rahman |
| Rahmatt | Rahmet |
Rashad good judgement
| Raashad | Rachad | Rachard |
| Rachaud | Raeshad | Raishar |
| Rashaad | Rashaud | Rashaude |
| Rashod | Rashoda | Rashodd |
| Raushaid | Rayshard | Rayshod |
| Reshad | Rhashad | Rhashod |
| Rishad | Roshad | Roushdy |
Rashid correctly guided
| Rasheed | Rasheid | Rasheyd |
| Rashida | Rashidah | Rashidi |
| Rashied | Rashieda |
Rez
Roshan light/clear
| Rahsean | Rahzjon | Rashaan |
| Rasham | Rashan | Rashane |
| Rashann | Rashaun | Rashaw |
| Rashawn | Rashean | Rasheen |
| Rashien | Rashiena | Rashon |
| Rashun | Raushan | Raushawn |
| Raysean | Rayshaan | Rayshan |
| Rayshaun | Rayshawn | Raysheen |
| Rayshon | Rayshone | Rayshun |
| Rayshunn | Reshane | Reshaun |
| Reshaw | Reshawn | Reshay |
| Reshean | Resheen | Reshey |
| Reshon | Reshun | Rhashan |
| Rhashaun | Rhashawn | Rishan |
| Rishaun | Rishawn | Rishon |
| Rohsaan | Roshane | Roshaun |
| Roshawn | Roshay | Roshean |
| Rosheen | Roshene | Roshon |
Sa'id lucky/happy
| Sa'd | Sa'oed | Saeed |
| Said | Sajid | Sajjid |
| Sayed | Sayeed | Sayid |
| Sayyad | Sayyed | Sayyid |
| Seyed |
Salih virtuous/righteous
| Saleeh | Saleh | Salehe |
Salim secure
| Saleem | Saliym | Selim |
Samir samara - to talk in the evening
| Samer | Shahmir | Shamar |
| Shameer | Shamere | Shami |
| Shamir | Shamyr |
Sari quick/ready
| Saree | Sarri | Sarrie |
| Sary | Sayre | Zaree |
Shadi singer
| Shade | Shadee | Shadeed |
| Shadey | Shadie | Shady |
| Shayde | Shydee | Shydi |
Shakil handsome/well-developed
| Shahil | Shaquille | Shykiel |
Shaman 'idol-worshipper' or Sanskrit 'holy man'
| Shamaine | Shamine | Shamon |
| Shamone |
Sharif honourable/eminent
| Shareef | Sharef | Shareff |
| Shariff | Shariyf | Sharyif |
Suhayl the name of a star - gentle
| Sohail | Sohayl | Souhail |
| Suhail | Sujal |
Tariq from taraqa - to knock
| Tareak | Tareck | Tareek |
| Tarek | Tarick | Tarik |
| Tariku | Tarreq | Tereik |
| Terek | Tirich | Tyericque |
| Tyreek | Tyreik | Tyrique |
Umar from amir - flourishing/thriving
| Omair | Omar | Omari |
| Omarr | Omer | Omero |
| Umarr | Umary | Umer |
Uthman a crane-like bird
| Osman | Osmanek | Osmar |
| Osmen | Othman | Usman |
Zayd zada - to increase
| Zaid | Zayed | Zayid |
Zafar victory
| Zafeeer | Zaffar | Zafir |
Zahir shining/flourishing
| Zahair | Zaheer | Zahi |
| Zahur | Zayyir |
This collection of names was compiled by Kate Monk and is ©1997, Kate Monk.
Copies may be made for personal use only.