صنم

Sanam

girlPersian / Urdu usage of an Arabic word

Sanam is a Muslim girl name meaning “Beloved (in poetry)”.

MeaningBeloved (in poetry)
GenderGirl
OriginPersian / Urdu usage of an Arabic word
Arabic spellingصنم
Pronunciationsah-NAM
Muslim name?Used by Muslims

Meaning and origin of Sanam

In Persian and Urdu poetry sanam means the beloved, an idol of the lover's affection, and this poetic sense made it a popular girl's name in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The word is borrowed from Arabic ṣanam, which literally means an idol, and it carries that meaning in the Quran. For this reason some families and scholars prefer to avoid it.

Is Sanam a Muslim name?

Sanam is used by Muslim families in Iran and South Asia in its poetic sense of 'beloved', but its literal Arabic meaning is 'idol', so some scholars discourage it. Alternatives with a clearer meaning include Sana or Sanaa.

Where is the name Sanam used?

Used in Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, mainly for its romantic poetic sense.

Gifts with the name Sanam

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Spellings and variants of Sanam

SanumSanamm

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More girl names like Sanam

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Sanam mean?

Sanam means 'Beloved (in poetry)'. It comes from Persian / Urdu usage of an Arabic word.

Is Sanam a Muslim name?

Sanam is used by Muslim families in Iran and South Asia in its poetic sense of 'beloved', but its literal Arabic meaning is 'idol', so some scholars discourage it. Alternatives with a clearer meaning include Sana or Sanaa.

How do you write Sanam in Arabic?

Sanam is written صنم in Arabic script.

How do you pronounce Sanam?

Sanam is pronounced sah-NAM.

Updated October 2026 · Researched by the Modern Muslim Names team. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.