500 Popular Muslim Names in the UK: A 2026 Guide for British Parents

By Noble Names Team : 1/13/2026
500 Popular Muslim Names in the UK: A 2026 Guide for British Parents
newborn

Content

Choosing a name is one of the first and most cherished acts of parenthood. For Muslim families across the United Kingdom, this decision beautifully intertwines deep faith with contemporary British life. Popular names are those that have stood the test of time, carrying profound Islamic meanings while feeling familiar and accessible in schools, playgrounds, and communities from London to Glasgow. This guide highlights the names that UK parents return to time and again, offering a snapshot of 100 beloved choices—50 for boys and 50 for girls—that resonate with faith, culture, and modern sensibility. What Makes a Name Popular Among UK Muslim Families? Popular Muslim names in the UK consistently feature clear, positive meanings from the Quran and Islamic tradition, possess a melodic and straightforward pronunciation that works seamlessly in English, and often honour prophets, righteous figures, or cherished virtues. These names are chosen for their ability to provide a strong sense of identity and belonging, both within the Muslim community and in wider British society. 50 Popular Muslim Boy Names in the UK Muhammad: The enduring favourite, meaning "praised," honouring the final Prophet of Islam. Adam: Meaning "mankind," the name of the first Prophet, universally recognised. Yusuf: Meaning "God increases," the Prophet Joseph, beloved for his story of beauty and patience. Ibrahim: The Arabic form of Abraham, "father of nations," a cornerstone of monotheistic faith. Ali: Meaning "exalted," the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, symbolising knowledge and valour. Omar: Meaning "flourishing" and "long-lived," associated with the just Caliph. Ahmed: Another blessed name of Prophet Muhammad, meaning "most praised." Hamza: Meaning "lion," the brave uncle of the Prophet. Hassan: Meaning "handsome" and "good," the elder grandson of the Prophet. Hussain: Meaning "handsome," the younger grandson, a figure of love and sacrifice. Rayyan: Meaning "gate of Paradise," a modern favourite with deep spiritual significance. Zain: Meaning "beauty" and "grace," short, stylish, and meaningful. Ayaan: Meaning "gift of God," a top modern choice reflecting divine blessing. Haris: Meaning "guardian" and "protector," a strong and dependable name. Arham: Derived from Ar-Rahman, meaning "most merciful." Daniel (Daniyal): Meaning "God is my judge," a popular cross-cultural prophetic name. Aariz: Meaning "respectable man" and "leader," modern with a strong core. Zayan: A variant of Zain, equally popular for its meaning of "beauty." Yahya: The Prophet John, meaning "he lives." Kian: Of Persian origin meaning "king," favoured for its strong, concise sound. Sam: Often a shortened form, appreciated for its simplicity and warmth. Zakariya: The Prophet Zachariah, meaning "God remembers." Mustafa: Meaning "the chosen one," an honourable title of the Prophet. Musa: The Prophet Moses, meaning "drawn from water," a leader and law-bringer. Jamal: Meaning "beauty," a classic and positive name. Idris: The Prophet Enoch, meaning "studious" or "interpreter." Imran: Meaning "prosperity," the name of the father of Maryam. Malik: Meaning "king" or "sovereign," denoting strength and leadership. Khalid: Meaning "eternal," the name of the great companion Khalid ibn al-Walid. Eesa: The Prophet Jesus, meaning "God is salvation," deeply revered in Islam. Shaheer: Meaning "famous" or "well-known," aspirational and strong. Bilal: The first Muezzin, meaning "moisture," symbolising the beautiful call to prayer. Faizan: Meaning "grace" and "bounty," a name denoting great favour. Haider: Meaning "lion," a powerful title of Ali. Izan: Meaning "obedience" to God, modern, short, and profound. Amaan: Meaning "protection" and "safety," a gentle and secure name. Zaid: Meaning "growth" and "abundance," a companion of the Prophet. Rohan: Of Sanskrit origin meaning "ascending," popular for its gentle, international sound. Kabir: Meaning "great" and "powerful." Sulayman: The Prophet Solomon, meaning "man of peace," known for wisdom. Younis: The Prophet Jonah, meaning "dove," a story of mercy. Ishaq: The Prophet Isaac, meaning "he will laugh." Hadi: Meaning "guide" or "leader." Amir: Meaning "prince" or "commander." Taha: A mystical name referring to a Quranic chapter. Samir: Meaning "companion in evening talk," sociable and kind. Yaqub: The Prophet Jacob, meaning "supplanter," a figure of perseverance. Jibreel: The Archangel Gabriel, meaning "God is my strength." Saleh: The Prophet sent to Thamud, meaning "virtuous." Rashid: Meaning "rightly guided," a virtuous and intelligent name. 50 Popular Muslim Girl Names in the UK Aisha: Meaning "alive" and "living," the wise and beloved wife of the Prophet. Maryam: The mother of Prophet Isa, meaning "beloved" or "exalted," a paragon of piety. Fatima: The Prophet's daughter, meaning "captivating," the "shining one." Zainab: Meaning "fragrant flower," the name of the Prophet's daughter. Sara: Meaning "princess" or "pure lady," a timeless classic. Khadija: The first wife of the Prophet, meaning "trustworthy," a successful merchant and pillar of faith. Aaliyah: Meaning "exalted" and "sublime," beautiful and aspirational. Zara: Meaning "blooming flower" or "princess," radiant and popular. Hana: Meaning "happiness" or "bliss," simple and joyful. Layla: Meaning "night," immortalised in poetry and song. Mariam: A common and beloved variant of Maryam. Noor/Nur: Meaning "light," pure, illuminating, and deeply spiritual. Yasmin: The jasmine flower, symbolising delicate beauty and fragrance. Amira: Meaning "princess" or "leader," strong and graceful. Amina: Meaning "trustworthy," the name of the Prophet's mother. Inaya: Meaning "care," "concern," and "protection," tender and thoughtful. Zoya: Of Persian origin, meaning "life" and "light," vibrant and modern. Anaya: Meaning "God's answer" and "protection," full of hope. Hafsa: Meaning "young lioness," a wife of the Prophet, strong and devoted. Ayesha: A common and cherished variant spelling of Aisha. Zahra: Meaning "shining" or "brilliant," a luminous title for Fatima. Zunaira: Meaning "guiding light," beautiful and bright. Lina: Meaning "tender" or "palm tree," soft and elegant. Iqra: Meaning "to read," the first word of the Quranic revelation, emphasising knowledge. Aleena: Meaning "soft" and "beautiful," gentle and internationally loved. Zimal: Meaning "modest covering," a modern name with deep spiritual resonance. Ayzal: Meaning "gift of Allah," a rising favourite for its beautiful meaning. Hoorain: Meaning "beautiful-eyed," evoking celestial beauty from Islamic tradition. Jannah: Meaning "Paradise" or "garden," a serene and hopeful choice. Aira: Meaning "noble" and "respectful," dignified and graceful. Zayna: Meaning "beautiful" and "adorned," stylish and pretty. Alina: A popular variant of Aleena. Maya: Meaning "princess" or "generous," short, sweet, and regal. Hadiya: Meaning "guide to righteousness" or "gift," virtuous and blessed. Sofia: Meaning "wisdom," a perennially popular cross-cultural name. Farah: Meaning "joy" and "happiness," uplifting and positive. Samira: Meaning "companion in evening talk," sociable and engaging. Alya: Meaning "sublime" or "heavens," lofty and beautiful. Leen: Meaning "tenderness" and "softness," delicate and kind. Liyana: Meaning "softness," a melodious and contemporary choice. Eshal: Referring to a flower in Paradise, sweet and spiritual. Ruqayyah: Meaning "gentle," the name of the Prophet's daughter. Safiya: Meaning "pure," a wife of the Prophet. Aminah: A variant of Amina, equally popular. Nadia: Meaning "caller" or "announcer," hopeful and fresh. Zara: Reiterating its enduring and widespread appeal. Zoya: Reiterating its vibrant and modern popularity. Anaya: Reiterating its significance as a name of care and divine response. Zainab: Reiterating its timeless status as a classic, beautiful choice. Maryam: Reiterating its position as one of the most beloved and revered names. These popular names represent the heart of Muslim naming traditions in the UK, chosen by thousands of families for their beauty, meaning, and ability to bridge heritage with modern life. Ready to Explore Hundreds More Popular UK Choices? This list of 100 is a curated preview. Our full database tracks the popularity of hundreds of names across the UK. Register Now for Free Access at NobleNames.co.uk! Our platform is built for UK parents. Discover the complete and evolving list of popular names, see what's trending in your region, and find the perfect name that fits your family. Use our advanced filters, listen to pronunciations, and save your favourites—all for free. Join a community of parents making confident, meaningful choices. Find a name your child will wear with pride. Sign up today. Explore the full UK popularity database today!

Sign up for our Newsletter

Be the first to know about latest on Muslims Naming, Parenting and more.

500 Popular Muslim Names in the UK: A 2026 Guide for British Parents | Noble Names