The 25 Prophets Named in the Quran
Updated October 2026 · Modern Muslim Names
The Quran names 25 prophets and messengers. Their names are among the most cherished choices for Muslim boys, and each carries a story parents can share with their child. Here they are in the traditional order, with links to the full meaning and history of each name.
| Prophet | Meaning of the name | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Adam | The first man; of the earth | آدم |
| Idris | Prophet Idris (Enoch) | إدريس |
| Nuh | Prophet Noah | نوح |
| Hud | Name of the Prophet Hud | هود |
| Salih | Righteous, virtuous | صالح |
| Ibrahim | Prophet Abraham, Friend of God | إبراهيم |
| Lut | Name of the Prophet Lot | لوط |
| Ismail | Ishmael, Prophet of God; God hears | إسماعيل |
| Ishaq | Isaac, Prophet of God; he laughs | إسحاق |
| Yaqub | Prophet Jacob | يعقوب |
| Yusuf | Prophet Joseph; 'God increases' | يوسف |
| Ayyub | Prophet Job, the patient one | أيّوب |
| Shuayb | The Prophet Shuʿayb | شعيب |
| Musa | Prophet Moses | موسى |
| Harun | Prophet Harun (Aaron) | هارون |
| Dhul-Kifl | One of the pledge; the Prophet Dhul-Kifl | ذو الكفل |
| Dawud | Beloved (Prophet David) | داود |
| Sulayman | Prophet Solomon; man of peace | سليمان |
| Ilyas | Prophet Elijah | إلياس |
| Al-Yasa | The Prophet Elisha | اليسع |
| Yunus | Prophet Jonah | يونس |
| Zakariyya | The Prophet Zakariyyā | زكريا |
| Yahya | He lives; Prophet John the Baptist | يحيى |
| Isa | Jesus, Prophet of God | عيسى |
| Muhammad | Praised, praiseworthy | محمد |
Choosing a prophet's name
Scholars widely recommend naming children after the prophets. Many families also use local forms: Musa is Musa across the Muslim world, while Ibrahim becomes İbrahim in Turkey and Iburahim in some West African languages. Each name page shows the common variants.
See more in our Quranic names list.