Aasif
Name of a courtier in the kingdom of Sulaimaan alayhis­salaam who was noted for his intelligence. This name is commonly used in combination with Ali and Ahmad, as Asif Ali/Ahmad.

Abraar
Plural of barr, meaning pious people; truthful persons; saints. Suitable combination: Abraarul-Haqq.

Ibraaheem
Name of an illustrious prophet of Allah who was honoured with the title of Khaleelullah meaning friend of Allah. Ibraaheem literally means 'father of the people' or most affectionate father'.

Aboo
Aboo literally means father. It forms a name or appellation when used in combination with names like Hasan, Haarith, Fadhi, Qaasim etc., except that Alif Laam, will have to be inserted before the second portion of the name so as to join the preceding word with it. as Abul-Hasan, Abul-Haarith, Abul-Fadhl and Abul-Qaasim.

Elaboration: Abul-Haarith is another name for lion. Abul­Fadhl is the appellation of Abbaas (RA). Abul-Qaasim is the appellation of Rasoolullah sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam, meaning father of Qaasim since he had a son named Qaasim who passed away in his infancy.

Aboo Ayyoob
A well-known Sahaabi who had received the honour of offering hospitality to Rasoolullah sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam when he migrated to Madinah.

Aboo Bakr
Name of the first Khalifah of Islam, and the first amongst men to embrace Islam.  A young camel is called Bakr in Arabic. Aboo Bakr was known by this name since he was noted for his expertise in curing. His real name was Abdullah.

Aboo Turaab
The appellation of Ali (RA). It was attributed to him by Rasoolullah sallallaahu alayhi wasallam when he found him on the day lying flat on the bare floor of Masjidun-Nabi with dust on his body. Rasoolullah sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam said to him humorously: 'Qum, Yaa Abaa Toraab!' (Rise, 0 Father of Dust). This became his title ever since.

Aboo Haneefah
The appellation of one of the four illustrious Imaams of the Ahlus-sunnah-wal jamm'ah whose real name was No'maan. The Imaam's extreme piety is borne out by the fact that for 43 years he performed all his daily Salaah including tahajjud with one single wudhu. It was his custom to complete the recitation of the Holy Qur'aan 61 times during the holy month of Ramadaan.

Aboo Taalib
The name of Rasoolullah's sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam uncle and father of Ali (RA).

Aboo Ubaidhah
Name of one of the ten sahaabah (RA) who, during their life time were given the glad tidings of their pardon and assured abode in Jannah.

Aboo Hurairah
Name of an illustrious sahaabi (RA) who was noted for narrating and compiling thousands of Ahadeeth of Rasoolullah sallallaahu- alayhi-wasallam.

Ajmal
Extremely beautiful; handsome.

Ihtishaam
Magnificence; pomp; glory.

Names usually kept are ihtishaamul-Haqq, Ihtishaamul­Hasan.

Ahad
One; unique; without partner; one of Allah's attributes.

Name: Abdul-Ahad.

Ihsaan
Benevolent actions; favour; kindness.

Ideal combinations: Ihasaanullah, Ihsaanud-Deen, Ih­saanul-Haqq.

Ahmad
The praised one; one worthy of praise; one who praises Allah abundantly; the blessed name of Rasoolullah sallallaahu-alayhi- wasallam.

Suitable combinations are: Ahmadullah and Ahmadur-Rahmaan.

Ikhlaas
Sincerity; purity; selfless friendship.

Names: Ikhlaas Ahmad.

Akhlaaq
Morals; virtue; good qualities; good manners; ethics.

Names: Akhlaaq Ahmad, Akhlaaq Husain.

Idrees
Name of an illustrious prophet of Allah. It is said that this word is derived from dars or diraasah meaning to read or teach the lessson. Owing to Idrees' (AS) reading and teaching the Holy Scriptures, he was called by this name.

Adeeb
A writer, author; one who inculcates ethical behaviour; intelligent.

Good combinations are Adeeb Ahmad and Adeebud-Deen.

Irshaad
To guide on the right path; to enjoin what is good; to instruct.

Name: Irshaad Ahmad and Irshaad Husain.

Arshad
Most upright and honest; a well-guided person; most obedient.

Arshaq
Handsome; one with a befitting height and a well-proportioned body.

Names normally kept are Arshaq Ali and Arshaq Ahmad.

Areeb
Wise; intelligent; expert.

A suitable combination is Areebud-Deen

Azhar
White; glittering; blooming; a face full of light.

Usaamah
Name of a well-known sahaabi (RA).

Is’haaq
Name of a prophet of Allah and the son of Ibraaheem (AS). It means one who laughs. (Loghaatul-Qur'aan)

Asad
Lion. Asadullah was the title of Sayyidona Ali radhiyallahu­anhu, meaning 'Lion of Allah'.

Israa’eel
Another name of Siyyidona Ya'qoob (AS). Because of this name the Jews are referred to as Bani Israa'eel, meaning 'sons of Israa'eel'.

As’ad
Virtuous; pious; well-mannered; most fortunate.

Iskandar
Name of a Greek king. Iskandar and Sikandar are both one and the same.

Islaam
Literally it means to bow ones head in submission. Islamically it means submission to the will of Allah Ta'ala. The religion of the Muslims is called Islaam.

Suitable combination of names are Islaamud-Deen, Islaam Ahmad.

Aslam
Very safe, safeguarded; one who is protected from calamities and misfortunes. It is also the name of a sahaabi (RA).

Ismaa’eel
Name of a distinguished prophet of Allah, the son of Ibraaheem (AS). It is said that this name is composed of two words, isma' meaning listen! and eel meaning Allah in the Syriac language. In other words "Hear and grant my prayers, O Allah!" Ibraaheem (AS) used to make dua for a son by these words. When his dua was heard, he named the son Ismaaeel. Ismaa'eel also means one who is obedient to Allah.

Usaid
Diminutive form of asad meaning small lion.

Ishtiyaaq
Yearning desire; fondness; eagerness.

Names: Ishtiyaaq Ahmad, Ishtiyaaq Husain.

Ashraf
Most noble; most distinguished; most eminent; of noble birth; a cultured person.

An ideal combination is Ashraf Ali.

Ashfaaq
Favour; kindness.

Istifaa’
To choose; to prefer; to give preference to one over the other.

Name: Istifaa' Ahmad, Istifaa' Husain.

Asgar
Smallest; minute.

Names: Asgar Ali and Asgar Husain.

Athar
Most pious; meticulously neat and clean; chaste.

Atyab
Scrupulously clean; refined; most noble; excellent.

Azhar
Evident; most apparent; most illuminated.

Suitable combination of name: Azhar Ali and Azhar Husain.

I’jaaz
Miracle; karaamah; an event out of the usual course of nature.

A'dil
Having the highest caliber of justice.

I'zaaz
To respect and honour; to raise to an exalted position; to strengthen.

Name usually kept are I'zaaz Ali, I'zaaz Ahmad, I'zaaz Husain.

A’zam
Most great; most pious; most exalted.

Note: Many people are in the habit of pronouncing this name as Ajam instead of A'zam. This is no ordinary mistake since Ajam means a mute.

Iftikhaar
Honoured; grace; glory; distinction; repute.

Afdhaal
Plural of fadl. Kindness; grace; favours; virtue.

Afdhal
Most excellent; prominent; most venerable.

Iqbaal
Prosperity; good fortune; luck; success; felicity; blessings.

Akbar
The greatest; most pious; honourable.

A good combination is Akbar Ali.

Ikraam
Honouring; veneration; to pay respect.

Name: Ikraamud-Deen.

Akram
Most gracious; benevolent; bountiful; most kind.

Altaaf
Plural of luft meaning kindness; grace; favours; gift.

Suitable combinations are Altaaf Husain, Altaaf Ahmad.

Ulfat
Friendship; intimacy; love; attachment; affection.

Ilyaas
Name of a prophet of Allah.  He was called Ilyaaseen as well.

Imaam
Ledder; guide; The Qur'aan, The Caliph.

A suitable combination is Imaamud-Deen.

Amaan
Safety; Security; protection.

Name: Amaanullah.

Imtiyaaz
Distinction; to distinguish; wisdom; intelligent sense.

Amjad
Most glorious; most noble; most venerable; one with grandeur.

Imdaad
To assist; to support; the spreading of light during the day.

Suitable names: Imdaadullah, Imdad Husain.

Ameer
Commander; chieftain; ruler; a nobleman; a wealthy person.

Names: Ameer Ali, Ameerud-Deen.

Ameen
Trustworthy; faithful; honest; trustee. Also the title of our beloved prophet, Muhammad sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam.

Prior to prophethood he was known to the Meccans as Ameen because of his honesty and nobility.

Anjum
Plural of Najm. Stars.

Anas
Man; friend; one with bonds of intimacy exist. Name of an illustrious companion of Rasoolullah sallallaahu-alayhi­wasallam.

In'aam
To confer favour; to present a gift; prize; reward.

Common names: In'aamullah, In'aamul-Haqq, In'aamul­Hasan.

Anwaar
Plural of noor meaning light; luster; brilliance.

Names: Anwaarul-Haqq, Anwaarul-hasan.

Anwar
Most bright; most brilliant; most beautiful.

Anees
One who makes acquaintances; friend; companion.

Uwais
Name of a well-known saint who lived during the time of Rasoolullah sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam and who, despite not having seen or met Rasoolullah sallallaahu­alayhi-wasallam admired and loved him whole-heartedly.

Ayyoob
Name of a prophet of Allah known for forbearing hardship and difficulties with patient endurance.

Aaminah
A lady of peace and harmony. Name of the beloved mother of Rasoolullah sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam.

Aanisah
A pious-hearted lady; good-natured; compatible.

Asmaa
Plural of ism meaning names. Name of the beloved daughter of Aboo Bakr (RA).

Umme-Ayman
Name of the lady who had breastfed Rasoolullah sallallaahu alayhiwasallam whom The Prophet sallallaahu­alayhi-wasallam used to address as 'mother'.

Umme-Habeebah
Name of the sacred wife of Rasoolullah sallallaahu-alayhi­wasallam.

Umme-Roomaan
Name of the sacred wife of Sayyidona Aboo Bakr (RA), Hadhrat Aa'i'shah's (RA) beloved mother.

Umme-Salmah
Name of one of the honourable wives of Rasoolullah sallallaahu alayhi-wasallam.

Umme-Salmaa
Name of the beloved mother of Sayyidona Aboo Bakr (RA).

Umme-Kulthoom
Name of the beloved daughter of Rasoolullah sallallaahu-alayhi- wasallam.

Umme-Haanee
Name of the daughter of Aboo Taalib and sister of Ali (RA).

Amatullah
Servant of Allah; name of a sahaabi (RA).

Ameenah
Trustworthy; faithful; honest.

Anjum
Plural of najm. Stars.

Aneesah
Companion; an affectionate friend; name of a sahaabi (RA).