Book of Names

Belly Dance Names

Most belly dancers have a dance name. It is either given to them by their teacher or they choose their own. It is important that your name reflects who you are. It is also important to respect other dancers. Do not choose a name that already belongs to a dancer that is known to you.

a=Arabic, b=Biblical, e=Egyptian, f=African, g= Greek, h=Hebrew, Israeli, i=India, m= middle eastern,
na= Native American, p= Persian, r= romany, gypsy, t= Turkish, hi= Hawaii

A

Aaminah /ah-MEE-nah/ (m) - lady of peace and harmony

Aanisah, Anisa /ah-NEE-sah/ (m) - pious lady, good natured
Aasiyah /Ah-SEE-yah/ (m)- 1.Queen with powerful dynasty 2.mansion with good foundation
Abda (m) - slave girl, espc. A black slave girl
Abia - Great
Abida - Worshipper
Abir, Abeer - Fragrance
Ablah, Abla’ - Perfectly formed
Abra - Example, lesson
A’dab - Hope and need
Adara - virgin
Adena /ah-dee-nah/ (g,h) - Noble, adorned
Adiba - cultured polite
Adila, Adilah, Adeelah (m) - equal, one who deals justly
Adira (h) - mighty, strong
Adiva - pleasant, gentle
Adrea - girl from Adira
Afaf - Chaste, virtuous, decent, pure
Afifah - chaste
Afra’ - white
Afsana /ahf-SAH-nah/ (p) - tale, story
Ahava /ah-HAH-vah/ (h) - beloved
Ahd - pledge, knowledge
Ahlam - witty: one who has pleasant dreams: imaginative
A’ida, Aida - visiting, returning, reward
Ain - eye, thus “precious”
Aini - spring, flower, choice, source
Aisha, A’ishah - /ah-EE-Shah/ (f - Swahili), (a) 1- life, alive, 2- Muhammed’s chief wife 3- prosperous
Akilah - Intelligent, logical, one who reasons
Alena - (h) Russian form of Helen
Alhena - 1- A ring; (A star in the constellation Gemini)
Alika /ah-lee-kah/ - (f- Swahili) Most beautiful
Alima - wise
Alimah - Skilled in music or dance
Aliyyah, Aliaha, A’lia - Exaulted, noble, highest social standing
Almas /ahl-mas/ - (m) diamond
Aludra - Virgin
Alzubra - A star in the constellation Leo
Amal, A’mal, Amala - Hopes, aspirations
Amani - Wishes, aspirations
Amara /ahm-AHR-ah/ - (f) 1. (Abyssinian legend) paradise, 2. (f) urgent news, 3. (g) eternally beautiful
Amatullah - Female servant of Allah
Amber - Jewel
Amina, Ameenah, Amineh, /ah-Mee-nah/ - (m) 1-Trustworthy; faithful, honest, trustful
Amira, Amirah, Ameera - (m) princess, ruler, (h) speech, words
Amtullah - Female servant of Allah
Anadil /an-nah-dil/ - (a) nightingales
Anan - Clouds
Anbar - perfume, ambergris
Andalee - (m) nightingale
Aneesh /ah-neesh/,Anisah - (m) companion, affectionate friend, name of a sahaabi
Annakiya /ah-nah-Kee-yah/ - (f- Housa) sweet face
Anjum /ahn-joom/ - (m) plural of najm. Stars
Anthea - (g) flowery
Anwar - Rays of light
Aquilah - (m) intelligent
Ara - opinions
Arda, Ardah - (h) 1- bronzed, 2- of the month of Adar (Feb.-March)
Areebah - Witty, smart
Arella /ah-rehl-lah/ - (h) angel, messenger
Ariel, Ariela, Ariella - (h) lioness of God
Arub - loving to her husband
Ashaki /ah-SHAH-kee/ - (f- West African) beautiful
Ashia /ash-EE-uh/ - (f- Somali) Mohammed’s favorite wife
Ashira - (h) wealthy
Asima - protector
Asiya - one who tends to the weak, one who heals
Asma’ - (m) beautiful, precious
Atifa - affection, sympathy
Atira, Aatira /ah-teer-ah/ - (m) of good fragrance, connoisseur of fragrances
Atiya - (m) gift, present
Aviva - (h) spring
Avivit - (h) lilac
Ayah - sign; distinct
Ayana /ah-HAYN-ah/ (f-Ethiopian) beautiful flower
Aymelek /aay-meh-lek/ - (t) moon angel
Ayperi /aay-peh-ree/ - (t) moon fairy
Aysel - (t) moonlike
Azah - (h) strong, bright
Azhar /ahz-hahr/ (a) flowers
Azima, Azeemah /uh-ZEE-mah/ - (m) great, dignified
Aziza, Azeezah /ah-ZEE-zuh/ - precious, gorgeous, strong, dear, respected, esteemed; precious, rare, powerful
Azzah - young, female gazelle
B

Badi’a - Unprecedented, admirable, unique

Badra- full moon
Badriyyah - resembling the full moon
Bahijah- (m) joyful, delightful, happy
Bahirah, Bahira, Baheera - (m) brilliant, splendid
Bahiya - beautiful, radiant
Banan - delicate, finger tips
Baraka - white one
Bari’ah - excelling
Barika - bloom, be successful
Basheera, Bashirah - (m) good news
Basimah - (m) smiling one
Basmah - a smile
Batul, Batool - Ascetic virgin
Benazir /bee-nah-zeer/ - (p) “the like of whom was never seen”
Bilquees, Bilqis - (m) Queen of Sheba (biblical)
Binnaz /BEE-naz/ - (t) “a thousand blandishments”, i.e. charming
Bushra - good omen
Buthaynah, Buthayna - of beautiful and tender body
C

Caasi - (h) Jewish variant of Catherine or Cassandra

Cala - Castle
Callista, Kallista - (g) most beautiful
Candace, Candide - (g) white-hot fire, incandescent
Cantara - small bridge
Carissa, Karissa - (g) beloved
Celina, Celeste - (Jewish) from the latin “Heavenly”
Charis /char-is/ - (g) grace, kindness
Charo - (h) form of Caroline
Civia, Tzevi - (h) a deer
Coral (g) - the precious stone coral
D

Dahab - gold

Daima - (t) always
Dalal - treated or touched in a kind and loving way
Dalia - (h) 1- a branch, 2- to draw water
Dana - (latin) bright as day, (h) to judge
Daphne - (g) laurel or bay tree
Dara, Dahra - (h) compassionate
Daria - (g) femine form of Dairus, wealthy
Daya, Dayeah - (h) a bird
Defne - (t) laurel
Deka /DEH-ka/ - (f-Somali) one who pleases
Delia - (Latin) an inhabitant of Delow, birthplace of Artemis and Apollo
Delila, Delilah - (h) 1-poor, 2- hair
Dena, Dinah - (h) judgement
Deniz - (t) sea
Devra - (h) 1- variant of Deborah, 2- a bee
Dilber - (t) beautiful, attractive
Dilek - (t) wish, desire
Dilshad /deel-shad/ - (p) “of happy heart”
Dincer - (t) lively, brisk
Ditza, Ditzah - (h) joy
Dolunay - (t) full moon
Duha, Dhuha - (m) forenoon
Dunya /duhn-yah/ - (m) world
Durrdana /door-DAH-nah/ - (p) pearl or Durrah, (m) pearl
Durrishahwar - (m) royal pearl
Durriyyah - (m) brilliant, glittering
E

Ebediyet - (t) eternity

Ebru - (t) marbling (as on paper decoration)
Edibe - (t) writer
Electra - (g) the shining one
Elmas - (t) diamond
Emel - (t) ambition
Emine - (t) confident
Eris - (t)
Esma, Esmer - (t) brunette
Eshe /AY-shay/ - (f- Swahili) life
Etana - (h) strong
Eve, Ive /EEV-ah/ - (f- Kiswahili) to ripen
Evona - (h) variant of Yvonne
F

Faaria - (m) tall, pretty

Fadilah, Fadheela - Virtuous, outstanding, superior, cultured and refined
Fadwa - name derived from self sacrifice
Faghira - (m) Jamine flower
Fahima - (m) intelligent, disarming
Faizah - victorious, winner
Falak - star
Farah - (m) joyful, cheerful
Farhannah /fahr-HAH-nah/ - (m) glad, joyful
Farida, Fareeda /fah-ree-dah/ - (p) incomparable beauty, (m) unique, singular, precious
Farihah, Fareeha - Happy, joyful, cheerful, glad
Fatima, Faatimah /FAH-tee-mah/ - (m) baby girl who is weaned, wife of Ali
Fatin, Fatinah - (m) fascinating, charming
Fawziyyah, Fawziya, Fazia - successful, victorious
Fellah - Arabian jasmine
Fikriyyah - (m) meditative
Filiz - (t) bud, sprout
Firdaws, Firdoos - highest garden in paradise
Firuze - (t) turquoise
Firyal - Name
G

Gabi - (h)pet form of Gabriella, “God is my strength”, name of an angel

Galiah - (h) wave
Gaya - mother goddess
Geela /gee-lah/ - (h) joyful
Ghadah- beautiful
Ghaliyah - fragrant
Ghaniyah - pretty girl, beautiful woman, beauty
Ghayda - Young and delicate
Ghazala, Ghazaalah /ghah-zah-lah/ - (p) gazelle, ie. Graceful; the sun
Ghusun, Ghusoon - branches of a tree
Gia - (jewish) pet form of Regina, “queen”
Gulbadan /GOOL-bah-dan/ - (p) rose
Gulbahar /GOOL-bah-haar/ - (t) rose spring
Gulbarg /GOOL-bargh/ - (p) rose petal
Guldali /GOOL-dah-lee/ - (t) rose twig
Gulfiliz /GOOL-feh-leez/ - (t) rose sprout
Gulgzel - (t) rose beauty
Gulirana /GOOL-ee-rah-na/ - (p) lovely rose
Gulnar - (m) pomegranate flower
Gulperi /GOOL–peh-ree/ - (t) rose fairy
Gulrang /GOOL-rahng/ - (p) rose colored
Gulrukh /GOOL-rookh/, Gulru, Gul’adhar - (p) face face
Guls - (t) laugh
Gulseren /GOOL-seh-ren/ (t) spreading roses
Gulshan /GOOL-shan/, Gulistan /GOOL-ees-tan/ - (p) rose garden
H

Habibah - (m) darling, beloved

Hadara, Hadarah /hah-dah-rah/ - (h) adorned with beauty, splendid
Hadassah /hah-das-sah/ - (h) myrtle tree, symbol of victory
Hadiya - Guide to righteousness
Hadiyyah, Hadiyah- (m) gift, valuable person
Hafiza - (t) memory
Hafsa, Hafsah - (m) cub, young lioness, wife of the prophet
Hafthah - preserved, protected
Haifa, Hayfa’ - Slender, of beautiful body
Halah - Aureole
Halima, Haleemah /hah-LEE-mah/ - (m) lady of patience and persercerance
Hamidah - praiseworthy
Hana’ - (m) happiness, peace of mind
Hanan - Mercy
Hanifah - (m) true, true believer, upright
Hanife - (t) lady
Haniyyah - pleased, happy
Harika - (t) marvelous, wonderful
Hasina, Haseenah /hah-SEE-nah/ - (f) good, (m) beautiful lady with attractive face
Hasna’ - beautiful
Hayal - (t) dream
Hayam - deliriously in love
Hayat - life
Hazine - (t) treasure
Hessa - destiny
Hilal - (t) crescent
Hind - proper name
Huda, Hooda - right guidance
Hulya - (t) daydream
Huma - bird who brings joy
Huraiva - (m) kitten
Huriye - (p) “like a Houri”, i.e. maiden of paradise
Huriyyah - Angel
Husn - beauty
Husniyah - beautiful
I

Ibtihaj - joy

Ihsan - (m) charity
Ikram - Honor, hospitality, generosity
Ilanah - (h) tree
Ilham - intuition
Imithal - polite, obedience
In’am - kindness, benefaction, bestowal
Inas - (m) well mannered
Inaya - concern, solicitude
Inci - (t) pearl
Intisar - triumph
Iona - (g) purple colored jewel
Ipek - (t) silk
Iris - (t) Iris flower
Izdihar - flourishing, blooming
J

Jael - (h) 1. mountain goat, 2. To descend

Jahan /jah-HAN/ - (p) world
Jahanara - (p) world adorning
Jala’ - clarity, elucidation
Jale, Jaleh /jah-leh/ - (p) dew drop
Jalilah - (m) great, exalted
Jamila, Jameelah /jah-MEE-lah/ - (m) beautiful, elegant
Jannah, Jannat - (m) heaven, garden
Janan - heart, soul
Jemina - /jeh-meen-ah/, Jonina, Jonita - (h) dove
Jessenia - (a) flower
Jini /JEE-nee/ - (f -kiswahili) a genie
Johara, Johari /joh-HAHR-ee/ - (f- kiswahili) jewel
Jumanah - (m) pearl
Jwahir /jeh-WAH-hair/, also Jawharrah, Jauhar, Gauhar - (m) jewels
K

Kadife - (t) velvet

Kadri, Kadriya - (t) Kader, destiny
Kaela /kay-ehl-lah/ - (a, h) short form of Kalila, Kelila
Kahina /kah-HEE-nah/ - (f) Berber leader, prophetess and warrior princess.
Kahire /kah-heer-eh/ - (t) city of Cairo
Kala, Cala - (a) fortress, castle,
Kalila - sweetheart, beloved
Kamila, Kaamilah /kah-MEE-lah/ - (m) complete, perfect
Kamaria /kah-mah-REE-ah/ - (f- Swahili, Somali) like the moon
Kamra /kam-rah/ (m) moon
Kanwal - (m) water lily
Kardelen - (t) snowdrop (flower)
Karida - untouched
Karima, Kareemah - (m) generous lady, bountiful, something invaluable
Kartane - (t) snowflake
Kasia, Kassia - (Jewish/Polish) form of Katherine
Kawthar - river in paradise
Kayra - (t) (no special meaning)
Kelila, Kayla - (h) crown, laurel
Khadija, Kadija /kah-dee-YAH/ - (m) born prematurely, Mohammed’s first wife
Khalida - (m) immortal, surviving, alive
Khawala - (m) servant, dancer
Khayriyyah, Khairiya - charitable, good
Khulud, Khulood - immortality
Kirvi /keer-VEE/ - (R- Am Gypsy) godmother
Kralice - (t) queen
L

Lale - (t) tulip

Lama - darkness of lips
Lamis, Lamees - soft to the touch
Lamya’ - of dark lips
Larisa, Larissa - (latin) cheerful
Lateefah, Latifa - (f -N. Africa) pleasant, gentle, good humor
Layla, Leyli - (a,p) /leh-lah/ famous beauty 2. Night
Leilah /leh-lah/ (p) having dark hair
Leda - (g) mythology, a Spartan queen, mother of Helen of Troy
Leorah - (h) light to me
Levana /leh-vahn-ah/ - (h) moon
Levona - (h) spice, incense, usually white in color
Leylak - (t) lilac
Lina, Liynaa - (m) tender
Lubabah - the innermost essence
Lubina - (m) flexible
Luloah - a pearl
Lu’Lu’ - (m) jewel like, pearl
M

Madihah, Madeeah – praiseworthy

Mahaila (Indian) 1. (var. of H Mahola)- Dance, 2. (var. of A Mahala) - fat bone or marrow
Mahasin (m) - “how beautiful”
Mahasti /mah-HAS-tee/ (p) - “you are a moon”
Mahin /mah-HEEN/ (p) - related to the moon
Mahira /mah-Heer-mah/ (h) - energetic
Mahirimah /mah-heer-eh-mah/ (p) - Sun-moon, i.e. very beautiful
Mahliqa /mah-lee-kah/ (p) - moonlike,
Mahsati /mah-SAH-tee/ (p) - moon lady
Mahtab /mah-taab/ (p) - moonlight
Maia (g) - mythology: daughter of Atlas, mother of Hermes
Ma’isah - walking with a proud, swinging gait
Maisha /mah-EE-shah/ (f-kiswahili) - life
Maizah - discerning
Majidah, Majeehah (m) - powerful, noble, glorious
Makarim - of good and honorable character
Malaika /mah-LAH-EE-kah/ (f-kiswahili) - Angel
Malika (m) - queen
Malkia /MAHL-kee-yah/ (f-kiswahili) - queen
Malha (h) - queen
Manal - attainment, achievement
Manar - guiding light
Manolya (t) - magnolia
Manishie (r-Scot/Eng gypsy) - woman, wife
Manzuma (e) - poem or song
Maram - asperation
Marika (jewish) - Slavic form of Mary
Marinna, Marina, Rina, Marna, Marisa (jewish) - from the latin “marius” the sea
Mariyah /maar-ee-YAH/ (m) - lady with fair complexion
Marjanna (p) coral
Marjani /mahr-JAH-nee/ (f-swahili) - coral, (f-kiswahili) - red coral
Maryam /maar-ee-yam/, Maryum (m) - famous lady - mother of Sayyidona Esaa
Mas’ouda - happy, lucky, fortunate
Mawiyah - the essence of life
Maymunah - auspicious, blessed
Maysa’ - to walk with a proud, swinging gait
Maysun, Maysoon - of beautiful face and body
Mayyadah - to walk with a proud, swinging gait
Mazana (h) - from Hebrew word for amazing
Mehira (h) - from “mahir”, speedy or energetic
Mehlika /meh-lee-kah/ (t) - moonlike
Mehtap (t) - moonlight
Melani (t) - no special meaning
Melek, Melik (t) - angel
Melina (g) - “melos” a song
Meli (g) - honey bee
Menekse (t) - violet (flower)
Merhamet (t) - mercy
Merla, Merle (from Latin/French) - a bird
Mersin (t) - myrtle
Meryem (t) - form of Maryam/Miriam
Milena (from old German/Jewish) - “milo” mild, peaceful
Mine, Mineh /mee-neh/ (t) - enamel
Minnet (t) - gratitude
Mirit (h) - sweet wine
Meira /meh-eh-rah/ (h) - light, connotation of sharing one’s light with others
Melantha (g) - dark flower
Melita (g) - honey bee
Meral /meh-rahl/ (t) - gazelle
Mira, Mirra - short form of Miriam/Miranda (Latin) - strong, wonderful
Mirella, Mirabella (Latin)- of great beauty
Miriam /MAR-ee-um/ (m,f-ethiopian) - the biblical “Mary”
Moira, Moriae (g mythology) - goddess of destiny/fate
Molara (Basque) - form of “Mary”
Morgan (Welsh) - sea dweller
Moyna (Celtic) - gentle, soft
Mufidah, Mufeedah - useful
Muhjah - heart’s blood, soul
Muminah - pious believer
Muna, Mona - wish, desire
Munierah, Muneerah /moo-neer-ah/ - (m) illuminating, brilliant, shining
Musherrah, Mushirah (m) - counselor, advising
Mushtaree (m) - Jupiter, planet
Muslimah - Devout believer
N

Naadirah, Nadira /nah-DEER-ah/ (m) - rare, choice, precious, fem. Of “Nadir”

Nabihah, Nabeeha - intelligent
Nabilah, Nabeela /nah-BEE-lah/ (m-Egyptian) - noble
Nada - generosity, dew
Nadhirrrah /nahd-heer-ah/ (m) - bright face with luster & light; healthy & happy
Nadhiyah (m) - lively, pretty
Nadia - the beginning, first
Nadidah, Nadeedah - equal, rival
Nadimah /nah-DEE-mah/ (m) - companion, friend
Nadwah -
Nafisah, Nafeesah - (m) refined, exquisite, precious thing, gem
Nageena (m) - gem, pearl
Nagmah /nag-mah/ (m) - melody, song
Nahid (p) - name for Venus, goddess of love
Nahlah - a drink of water
Naia, Naiad (g) - to flow, i.e. water
Nai’a (hi) - dolphin
Na’ilah (m)- acquirer, one who obtains favor, one who succeeds
Na’imah (m)- blessing, comfort, amenity, tranquility, peace
Najah (m) - 1. success, 2. Safe, rescued, delivered
Najat - safety
Najibah, Najeeba (m) - of noble birth
Najida, Naajidah /nah-jee-dah/ (m) - courageous
Najiyah - safe
Najiyyah - (m) friendly, affectionate
Najla (m) - of beautiful, wide eyes
Najlah (m) - delicate, feminine
Najma, Najmah /NAJ-mah/ (a) - star
Najwa - confidential talk, secret conversation
Najya - victorious
Nalani - (Hawaiian) - calmness of the heavens
Nane /nah-neh/ (t) - mint
Nara (celtic) - happy
Nargis (m) - Narcissis flower
Narin (t) - delicate
Naseelah /nah-SEE-lah/ (m) - zephry; fragrant or cool breeze
Nashida - student
Nashita - energetic, full of life
Nashwa - fragrance, perfume, that which intoxicates
Nasiha - one who gives valuable advice
Nasira /nah-SEER-ah/ (m) - victorious, helper
Nasreen /nahs-REEN/ (m) - white rose, Jericho rose, jonquil
Nasya (h) - miracle
Nathifa - clean, pure
Navah, Navit (h) - beautiful
Nawal /nah-WAHL/ (m) - gift
Nawar, Nawaar (m) - blossom, flower
Nayer (p, Jewish) - sunshine
Nayyirah (m) - luminous, shining, brilliant
Nazahah - purity, righteousness, honesty
Nazihah - honest
Nazima (m) - poetess, matron
Nazirah (m) - 1. like, equal, matching, 2. leader, vanguard
Nazli /nahz-lee/ (p) - coquettish
Nazmiye (t) - poem (nazim)
Neelam (m) - blue green, precious stone
Nefes (t) - breath
Nefsi, Nefis (t) - wonderful
Nehan, Neslihan (t) - happy lady
Nehayat (t) - end, final
Neimah (h) - pleasant
Nelofar (m) - lotus, water lily
Nena (m) - motherly
Nergis (t) - daffodil
Nerita (g) - sea snail
Nese (t) - joy
Nibal - arrows
Nida - call
Nila, Nyla (Egyptian) - an ancient Egyptian princess, the Nile
Nilfer (t) - water lily, lotus
Ni’mah - blessing, loan
Ni’mat - blessings, loans
Nisaa /nee-SAH/ (m) - women; “She that makes men forget”
Nissa, Nyssa /NEE-sah/ (h) - sign, emblem, (g) - beginning
Nitzah, Nizah (h) - flower bud
Noelani (Hawaiian) - a princess, “beautiful one from heaven”
Nouf - highest point on a mountain
Nudar, Nudhar - gold
Nuha (m) - Intelligence
Numa - beautiful and pleasant
Numa Noor - beautiful light
Nur, Noor - light
Nur Banu - light of the moon
Nur Jihan - light of the world
Nura (m) - flower, blossom
Nuray (t) - moonlight
Nureen (a, Jewish) - light
Nurhan (t) - Bright lady
Nysa, Nyssa (g) - the goal
O

Odella/Odele (g) - melody, song

Ofra /OH-frah/ (f-Mandinka) - moon, (h) - kid, young goat
Ohelah (h) - tent
Orah, Ora (h) - light
Oralee (h) - my light
Oriana, Oria (Jewish/Latin) - “oriens” Orient or the East
Orial (old French/Latin) - gold
Orli (h) - “light is mine”
Ornah (h) - pine
P

Parijan /par-ee-jahn/ (p) - fair soul

Parikhan /par-ee-khan/ (p) - fairy queen
Parvaneh, Parvane /par-van-EH/ (p) - butterfly, (t) - night moth (butterfly is Kelebek)
Parvin /par-veen/ (p) - cluster of stars, Pleiades
Pazia, Paz (h) – golden
Pele (hi) – Goddess of Fire
Penda /PEHN-dah/ (f-Swahili) - beloved, (Kiswahili) - to love
Peninah (h) - coral or pearl
Perizad, Perizada /per-ee-ZAHD, per-ee-ZAHD-ah/ (P) born of the fairies
Phedre (g) - the shining one
Phemia (g) - voice, speech
Phila (g) - love
Philana (g) - lover of mankind
Pinar (t) - fountain, spring
Pisliskurja (r-Bosnian gypsy) - darling
Q

Qamar /kah-mahr/, Qamarah (m) - the moon

Qubilah - Concord
R

Ra’ana /RAH-uh-nah/ (m) - lovely, beautiful, graceful, delicate

Rabab - White cloud
Rabi’ah, Rabiyah (m) - garden, springtime
Rabie (t) - goddess
Ra’eesah /rah-EE-sah/ (m) - leader, princess, wealthy lady
Radeyah, Radhiya (m) - content, satisfied
Radwa, Radhwa - a mountain in Medina
Rafa’ - happiness, prosperity
Rafiqa (m) - sweetheart
Rafiyyah (m) - high, lifting up
Raghd - pleasant
Rahibe (t) - nun
Rahimah, Raheema (m) - merciful, compassionate
Ra’idah - leader
Raihanah - /Ra-ee -HAH-nah/ (m) - bouquet of flowers, sweet smelling flower
Raisa, Raizel, Rayzel (Yiddish) - Rose
Raja’ (m) - hopeful
Rajeeyah (m) - hoping, full of love
Rakhshanda (m) - shining, brilliant
Ramah (h) - high
Ramla /rahm-lah/ (f-Swahili) - fortuneteller, prophet
Rana /rah-nah/ (m) - to gaze, look
Rananah (h) - fresh
Rand - tree of good scent
Rani (h) - my joy
Raniyah - gazing
Rasha - young gazelle
Rashida, Rasheeda (m) - wise, mature
Rashieka /ruh-SHIH-kah/ (a) - descended from Royalty
Raushanah, Roshannah (m) - skylight, bright
Rawdah, Rawdha - garden
Rawiyah (m) - narrator, storyteller
Rawnie - (r-gypsy) - fine lady, i.e. non-gypsy
Rayah, Raya (h) - friend
Rayya - sated with drink
Rayyah (m) - aroma, fragrance
Razi (a) - my secret
Raziya /rah-ZEE-yah/ (f-Swahili) - sweet, agreeable
Rehena /Reh-HAY-nah/ (f-Swahili) - compassion, (Kiswahili) - mercy
Renana (h) - joy, song
Reshmaan (m) - silky, of silk
Rida - favored by God
Riesa (h) - form of Theresa
Rihana - sweet basil
Rim, Reem - gazelle
Rima, Reema - white antelope
Rimonah, Rominah (h) - pomegranate
Rina (h) - song, joy
Rishona (h) - first
Roni (h) - my joy
Rukan - steady, confident
Rukshana /rook-SHAH-nah/ - Russian variant of Roxanne, Sulieman’s wife.
Ruqayyah, Ruqaya - gentle, daughter of the prophet
Ruwaydah - walking gently
Rya (t) - dream
S

Sahirah /sah-HEER-ah/ (m) - earth, moon, spring which flows constantly

Sar’rah /sahr-RAH/ (m) - lady who’s charming manner brings joy
Sabba (m) - eastern wind, zephyr
Sabihah /sah-BEE-hah/ (m) - beautiful/handsome, lady with fair complexion
Sabina, Savina (Latin) - of the Sabines, an ancient tribe
Sabirah (m) - patient
Sabreen (m) - patient
Sadiqah (m) - truthful, sincere
Sadira (p) - lotus tree
Sa’diyya, Sadiya (a) - lucky, good fortune
Safa - clarity, purity, serene
Safi (m) - clean, pure
Safira (h) - sapphire
Safiyyah - untroubled, serene, pure, best friend
Sahar - Dawn
Sahlah - smooth, soft, fluent, flowing
Saidah - happy, fortunate
Saihah - good, useful
Sakina, Sakeena (m) - God-inspired, tranquility, peace of mind
Salihah (m) - correct, agreeable, virtuous
Salimah, Saleemah /sah-LEE-mah/ (m) - peace, flawless, faultless, safe, healthy
Salma - peaceful
Salwa - Solace; quail
Samah (m) - generosity
Samar - evening conversation
Samara (Lation) - seed of the elm
Sameh - forgiver
Samia /sah-MEE-ah/ (m) - noble, lofty
Samihah, Sameeha - generous
Samina /sah-MEEN-ah/ (m) - healthy girl; fertile land without rocks; plump
Samira, Sameera /sah-MEER-ah/ (m) - entertaining female companion, storyteller
Samiyah (m) - elevated, exhalted, lofty
Sana’ - resplendence, brilliance; to gaze or look
Sanobar (m) - pine tree
Sarafina (h) - ardent, like the angel who protects God’s throne
Sarai, Sara, Sarina, Saree (h) - princess, noble
Sauda (m) - black
Sawsan - Lily of the Valley
Sefa (t) - pleasure
Segulah (h) - pleasure
Seher (t) - dawn
Selena /seh-LEH-nah/ (g) moon; like Selene the moon goddess
Selima /seh-LEE-mah/ (m,h) - peace
Selvi (t) - cypress
Serap (t) - mirage
Sevda (t) - love, passion
Sevgi (t) - love
Sevgili (t) - darling
Sevinc (t) - joy, delight
Seyyal (t) - traveler
Sezen (t) - feeling, suspicion
Shabanna (m) - 1. Belonging to night, 2. Young lady
Shabibah (m) - youthful
Shabnam (m) - dew
Shadha - aromatic
Shadiyah (m) - singer
Shaheena (m) - falconess
Shahrazad - teller of “Tales of 1,001 Nights”
Shaia (r-Basque gypsy) - sister
Shaina /SHAY-nah/ (Yiddish) - beautiful
Shakarnaz /shah-kar-nah/ (p) - sugar
Shakeelah /shah-KEE-lah/ (m) - comely, beautiful, well shaped
Shakira /shah-KEER-ah/ (m) - grateful, contented
Shakufa /sha-KOO-fah/ (p) - opening bud
Shala /shah-LAH/ (m) - having grey eyes w/ shade of red; species of Narcissis flower
Shahla (Afghani) - beautiful eyes
Shamahmah /shah-mah-mah/ (m) - scent of perfume
Shamilah, Shameela (m) - quality, character, a bud
Shamina /shah-MEE-nah/ (m) - fragrant, sweet smelling, sweet breeze
Shamoodah /sha-moo-dah/ (m) - diamond
Shamsa /SHAM-sah/ (p) - sun, Shamsha (i) - sun
Shani /SHAH-nee/ (Swahili) - marvelous, (Kiswahili) - unusual thing, adventure
Shara, Sharna (h) - form of Sharon
Sharifah, Shareefa /shah-REE-fah/ (m) - noble
Shariykah (m) - companion, partner
Shazadi /shah-ZAH-dee/ (p) - princess
Shirin /sheer-IN/ (p) - sweet, legendary beauty
Shula, Shu’la (a) - flaming, bright
Siddiqah (m) - one who keeps her word
Sidona (h) - enticing
Sidra (m) - religious “lote-tree at the farthest border of paradise”
Sigliah (h) - violet
Siham - arrows
Sivia, Sivya (h) - a deer
Souad, Su’ad (m) - good fortune
Souzan (p) - burning, fire
Songl (t) - last rose
Soraya /Soh-rai-yah/ (p) star, Pleiades constellation; princess
Suha - name of a star
Suhailah, Suhaylah /soo-HAY-lah/ (m) - canopy, marquee; soft
Suhaymah - small arrow
Suhayr, Suhair - proper name
Sumayyah, Sumaiya - proper name
T
Tahira, Tahirah /ta-HEER-ah/ (m) - pure, chaste, pious, clean
Tahiyya (m) - greeting, cheer
Tahmina /tah-MEE-nah/ (p) - Rustam’s wife in famous poem
Tajah (m) - crown
Takiyah - pious, righteous
Taleebah - seeker of knowledge
Talia (h) - dew
Taliah (h) - lamkin
Talor, Talora (h) - dew of the morning
Talya (t) - proper name
Tamar, Tamarah (h, p) - date tree
Tania (Russian) - the fairy queen
Tanaiya - proper name
Tarana /tuh-rah-nuh/ (p) - melody
Tarub, Taroob - merry
Taslimah (m) - salutation, peace
Tavi, Tavita (h) - fem. form of David, i.e. beloved
Tayyibah /tah-YEE-bah/ (m) - good, sweet, agreeable, pure, chaste; “halaal”
Temirah (h) - tall, erect, “like a palm”
Thalia (g) - to flourish, to bloom
Thana’ - thankfulness
Thara’ - wealth
Thurrayya (m) - star; the Pleiades
Tikvah (h) - hope
Timora (h) - tall (as the palm tree)
Tira (h) - encampment, enclosure
Tirza, Tirzha, Tirsa (h) - pleasant
Tomris (t) -
Tova, Tovah (h) - good
Tuhfah (m) - present, gift
Tzafrirah /zah-freer-ah/ (h) morning zephyr
U
Uhuru /oo-HOO-roo/ (f-Kiswahili) - freedom
Umayama - little mother
V

W
Wafa’ - faithfulness
Wafiqah - successful
Wafiyyah - loyal, faithful
Wahibah - giver, donor
Wajihah, Wajeeha - eminent, distinguished
Walidah- newborn
Warda, Wardah - rose
Widad - love, friendship
Wijdan - ecstacy, sentiment
Wisal- communion in love
X
Xela /SHAY-la/ (native american) - beautiful
Ximena (g) - from “Xenia”, hospitality to a stranger
Xenia (g) - hospitality to a stranger
Y
Yafia - high
Yakootah - emerald
Yalanda (g) - var. of Yolanda (violet flower)
Yamha - dove
Yaminah (m) - right and proper; right hand
Yasirah - lenient
Yasmine, Yasmin, Yasmina - Jasmine, friendliness
Yegane /yeh-gah-nee/ (p) - incomparable beauty
Yeira (h) - light
Yemina (h) - right hand
Yesim (t) - jade
Yildiz (t) - star
Yoninah (h) - little dove
Yosefa, Yosifa (a) - feminine of Joseph
Yumn - good fortune, success
Yusra - proper name
Z
Zabrina (h) - var. of Sabrina
Zafirah - victorious, successful
Zahavah (h) - golden
Zahirah /zah-hee-rah/(m) - shining, luminous; blooming flower, of bright and lovely color
Zahra’ - white
Zahrah (m) - flower, beauty, star
Zaib /zah-eeb/ (m) - beautiful fragrant tree, elder daughter of Rasoolulah
Zainab, Zaynab - daughter of the prophet
Zakiyyah /zah-KEE-yah/ (m) - pure, lady of keen perception and sharp mind
Zaleekhah /zoo-lee-kah/ (m) so beautiful that people gape in wonderment
Zalika /zah-LEE-kah/ (f-Swahili) - well born
Zambak (t) - Lily
Zaraa’ /zah-RAH/ (m) - beautiful, the lady of Jannah
Zareen (m) - golden, gold
Zarifah (m) - graceful (t) code for “gay” in Ottoman times
Zayn (m) - beautiful, graceful
Zaynah, Zaina - beautiful
Zeenat /zee-naht/ (m) - beauty, elegance, adornment
Zeinab /ZAY-nab/ (f-Somali) - good
Zel (t) - private, special
Zemirah (h) - song of joy; hospitable
Zemorah (h) - branch
Zena /ZAH-nah/ (f-Ethiopian) - fame, (p) - woman, (h) - stranger
Zia (h) - to tremble
Zina (g) - form of Zena, Xenia
Zikiya /zah-KEE-yah/ (f-Swahili) - smart, intelligent
Zimra, Zimora (h) - 1. Branch, 2. Song of praise
Ziva, Zivah (h) - bright, radiant
Ziynet (t) - ornament
Zlem (t) - longing, yearning
Zohar (h) - shining, brilliant
Zubaidah, Zubaydah (m) - excellent, best part, cream
Zuhairah (m) - blossom, radiant, shining
Zuhra, Zurah /zooh-rah/ (a) - Venus (heavenly body)
Zulaikha /zoo-lai-ee-kha/ (m) so beautiful that people gape in wonderment.

a=Arabic, b=Biblical, e=Egyptian, f=African, g= Greek, h=Hebrew, Israeli, i=India, m= middle eastern,
na= Native American, p= Persian, r= romany, gypsy, t= Turkish, hi= Hawaii