The Middle East typically includes all lands around the Southern and Eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This means you can find Middle Eastern names from modern times and history in countries like Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Yemen, and Qatar.
Common Middle Eastern Names
Many Middle Eastern names are common throughout countries in this area because they are traditional Arabic baby names or Muslim baby names. Common names can also be translations of Hebrew baby names. Some of these top baby names are still very popular for new parents, while others are becoming less common with each generation.
Common Boy Names From the Middle East
From short names to long names, common male names from the Middle East often have either a hard masculine sound or a softer feminine sound.
| Name | Meaning | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Ali | Lofty | Lebanon |
| Andreas | Masculine | Cyprus |
| Charbel | God's good news | Lebanon |
| Christos | Anointed | Cyprus |
| Elie | My God is help | Lebanon |
| Jad | Serious | Middle East |
| Kostas | Steadfast | Cyprus |
| Michalis | Who is like God? | Cyprus |
| Mohammed | Praised | Middle East |
| Omar | Flourishing | Lebanon |
| Panagiotis | All holy | Cyprus |
| Rami | Archer | Lebanon |
| Tarek | He who knocks | Middle East |
| Yiorgos | Farmer | Cyprus |
| Yosef | He will add | Middle East |
| Ziad | Growth | Lebanon |
Common Girl Names From the Middle East
Names that are common for girls in the Middle East are typically common around the world or completely unique to this area.
| Name | Meaning | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Androula | Victory | Cyprus |
| Anna | Grace | Cyprus |
| Celine | Heaven | Lebanon |
| Christina | A Christian | Cyprus |
| Eleni | Unknown | Cyprus |
| Fatima | To abstain | Middle East |
| Georgia | Farmer | Cyprus |
| Hala | Halo around the moon | Middle East |
| Michal | Brook | Israel |
| Nour | Light | Middle East |
| Panayiota | All holy | Cyprus |
Popular Middle Eastern Names
Lists of the most popular names in Iraq, top baby names in Iran, top names in Israel, top names in Saudi Arabia, and the most popular names in Kuwait, can give you some of the most coveted baby names in the Middle East.
Popular Boy Names in the Middle East
Names for boys that start with "A" are extremely popular in Middle Eastern countries.
| Name | Meaning | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Abbas | Austere | Saudi Arabia |
| Abolfazl | Father of grace | Iran |
| Adnan | Pleasant | Iraq |
| Akber | Great | Iraq |
| Akil | Intelligent | Iraq |
| Amir-Ali | Sublime prince | Iran |
| Aria | Noble | Iran |
| Ariel | Lion of God | Israel |
| Bader | Full moon | Kuwait |
| Basam | Smiling | Saudi Arabia |
| Dabir | Tutor | Saudi Arabia |
| Fahad | Jaguar | Kuwait |
| Faris | Knight | Saudi Arabia |
| Hossein | Handsome | Iran |
| Ibrahim | Father of many | Saudi Arabia |
| Ido | To continue | Israel |
| Itay | With me | Israel |
| Khaled | Immortal | Kuwait |
| Laraib | Sensible | Iraq |
| Majid | Glorious | Iraq |
| Samyar | Wealthy | Iran |
| Seif | Religious sword | Iraq |
| Shakir | Thankful | Iraq |
Popular Girl Names in the Middle East
Girl names that start with consonants like "H," "R," and "S," are popular in the Middle East.
| Name | Meaning | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Abelarda | Brave and noble | Saudi Arabia |
| Afra | Earth color | Middle East |
| Alea | Exalted | Iraq |
| Amira | Princess | Iraq |
| Baran | Rain | Iran |
| Bibi | Lady | Saudi Arabia |
| Gamila | Beautiful | Saudi Arabia |
| Habbiba | Beloved | Iraq |
| Hana | Happiness | Iraq |
| Hayat | Life | Saudi Arabia |
| Helma | Protection | Iran |
| Hussa | Share | Kuwait |
| Indemira | Guest of the princess | Saudi Arabia |
| Lulwa | Pearl | Kuwait |
| Mersana | Gift of God | Iran |
| Miriam | Unknown | Israel |
| Noa | Motion | Israel |
| Noya | Beauty | Israel |
| Raha | Comfort | Iran |
| Reem | White antelope | Kuwait |
| Reihaneh | Flower | Iran |
| Ronny | Rulers counselor | Israel |
| Sabira | Patient | Iraq |
| Sherifa | Honor and virtue | Kuwait |
| Shira | Singing | Israel |
| Tamar | Date palm | Israel |
| Uzza | Strong | Iraq |
| Yael | Mountain goat | Israel |
| Yasna | White rose | Iran |
| Zahra | Brilliant | Iran |
| Zeinab | Father's pride | Iran |
Beautiful Middle Eastern Names
If you're looking for a name that sounds great, no matter the meaning or country of origin, these beautiful Middle Eastern names are great options.
Handsome Middle Eastern Names for Boys
Names for boys that sound really appealing often have great meanings too.
- Ayham: Brave
- Essam: Safeguard
- Daseem: Unknown
- Ghaith: Rain
- Lyad: Reinforcement
- Luqman: Wise one
- Mishari: Merchant
- Musfir: Bright
- Nidal: Struggle
- Rasheed: Rightly guided
- Siraj: Light
- Thunayan: Unknown
- Wael: Shelter; clan
- Zakariya: God remembers
Pretty Middle Eastern Names for Girls
Longer girls names that end in vowels tend to have the most beautiful sounds.
- Ajwan: Unknown
- Almas: Diamond
- Asti: Peace in Kurdish
- Bahija: Happy
- Evîn: Love in Kurdish
- Houria: Fairy
- Husna: More beautiful
- Janan: Heart or soul
- Khuzaima: The famous companion
- Malaika: Angels
- Meisoon: Unknown
- Mounira: Shining
- Nesrine: Wile rose
- Shoshana: Lily or rose; popular in 1950s Israel
- Viyan: Desire in Kurdish
- Yasmina: Jasmine
Cool Middle Eastern Names
Hip names from the Middle East are short and strong.
Middle Eastern Boy Names That Sound Cool
Names that feature five letters or fewer seem to have the coolest sounds.
- Azad: Free
- Elad: Eternity; popular in 1980s Israel
- Laith: Lion
- Matan: Gift; popular in 1990s Israel
- Moshe: Son; popular in 1950s Israel
- Or: Light; popular in 1990s Israel
- Oren: Pine tree; popular in 1970s Israel
- Roei: Friendly; popular in 1980s Israel
- Shadi: Singer
- Shai: Gift; popular in 1970s Israel
- Taym: Devotion
- Yaniv: He will prosper; popular in 1970s Israel
Middle Eastern Girl Names That Sound Cool
Short girl names are on trend around the world, but these uncommon options could help you start your own naming trend.
- Adi: Jewel; popular in 1980s Israel
- Azza: Young gazelle
- Basma: Smile
- Dua: Prayer
- Liat: You are mine; popular in 1970s Israel
- Moran: Shrub; popular in 1980s Israel
- Meital: Dew drop; popular in 1980s Israel
- Ronit: Joy; popular in 1950s Israel
- Sapir: Sapphire; popular in 1990s Israel
- Orly: Light for me; popular in 1950s Israel
- Yara: Little butterfly
- Zeina: Beauty
Ancient Middle Eastern Names
If you want a truly unique baby names you might want to check out historical names like Medieval Middle Eastern names.
Old Middle Eastern Names for Boys
Older names for boys from the Middle East tend to be on the longer side, but there's also room to find a cute nickname from these options.
- Annitas: Mercy
- Aretas: Unknown
- Bayezit: Prevailing ruler
- Kikkuli: Master horse trainer
- Lubarnas: Unknown
- Malichus: My king
- Murad: Wish
- Mustafa: The chosen one
- Mutallu: Unknown
- Obodas: Unknown
- Othman: Baby bird
- Rabbel: Flower name
- Suleyman: Peace
- Telepinus: Hittite god of agriculture
Old Middle Eastern Names for Girls
From old goddesses and legends to names of women from Medieval times, these old-fashioned girl names are strong and meaningful.
- Arinna: Hittite sun goddess
- Donatiya: A name from an Ugaritic legend
- Gamilat: Unknown
- Gilukhepa: Mitanni princess
- Haganu: Unknown
- Hagru: Unknown
- Huldu: Weasel or mole
- Hurriya: A name from an Ugaritic legend
- Pigat: A name from an Ugaritic legend
- Puduhepa: Hittite queen
- Shaqilat: Unknown
- Tadukhepa: The beautiful one has come
Monikers From the Middle East
From African baby names to Turkish baby names, the Middle East is filled with different cultures, religions, and countries. You can look for names based on their meaning, their country of origin, or simply for their sound.
