Owais
Owais is a Muslim boy name meaning “Little wolf”.
| Meaning | Little wolf |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Arabic |
| Arabic spelling | أويس |
| Pronunciation | oo-WAIS |
| Arabic root | أ و س (ʾ-w-s) — wolf; gift |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Owais
Owais is a spelling of Uways, the diminutive of aws, an old Arabic word for the wolf. The diminutive pattern used here softens the word, so Uways means 'little wolf'. The word aws can also mean a gift or compensation, and some name lists prefer that sense, but the wolf meaning is the more widely given one. Families who choose the name, however, are usually thinking less of its literal meaning than of the man who made it famous.
That man is Uways al-Qaranī, a devout man from Yemen who lived in the Prophet's ﷺ lifetime but never met him, because he stayed behind to care for his mother. A hadith in Sahih Muslim records the Prophet ﷺ speaking of him and telling ʿUmar to ask Uways to pray for him, and he is counted among the best of the Tabiʿin. The name is written أويس and pronounced oo-WAIS or oh-WAIS. Owais and Awais are the usual spellings in Pakistan and India, where it is very common, and Uwais, Oways and Owaise are also used. The English cricketer Owais Shah is a well-known modern bearer.
Famous people named Owais
- Uways al-Qaranī — devout Yemeni Tabiʿi praised by the Prophet ﷺ
- Owais Shah — English cricketer who played for England
Is Owais a Muslim name?
Yes. Owais is a Muslim name of Arabic origin, chosen by many families in honour of the devout Uways al-Qarani.
Where is the name Owais used?
Very common in Pakistan and India, where Owais and Awais are the usual spellings.
Gifts with the name Owais
- Owais name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Owais baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Owais
More boy names like Owais
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Owais mean?
Owais means 'Little wolf'. It comes from Arabic.
Is Owais a Muslim name?
Yes. Owais is a Muslim name of Arabic origin, chosen by many families in honour of the devout Uways al-Qarani.
How do you write Owais in Arabic?
Owais is written أويس in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Owais?
Owais is pronounced oo-WAIS.
Who was Uways al-Qarani?
He was a devout man from Yemen in the Prophet's ﷺ time who never met him because he cared for his mother; the Prophet ﷺ spoke of him, and he is counted among the best of the Tabiʿin.
Is Owais the same as Awais?
Yes. Owais, Awais, Uwais and Uways are all spellings of the same Arabic name.