East African & Swahili Muslim Names

Muslim names used in Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar and the Swahili coast. Each name links to its full meaning, Arabic spelling and pronunciation.

Jump to girl names (153)

Boy names (199)

199 names · each links to its meaning, Arabic spelling, origin and pronunciation.

Aadan — Prophet Ādam, first man Abas — Stern, lion-like Abdalla — Servant of God Abdi — Servant (of God)Abdiaziz — Servant of the Almighty Abdifatah — Servant of the Opener Abdihakim — Servant of the All-Wise Abdikadir — Servant of the All-Powerful Abdikarim — Servant of the Most Generous Abdinasir — Servant of the Helper Abdirahim — Servant of the Most Compassionate Abdirahman — Servant of the Most Merciful Abdirashid — Servant of the Rightly Guiding Abdisalam — Servant of the Source of Peace Abdishakur — Servant of the Most Appreciative Abdiwali — Servant of the Protecting Friend Abdulrahmani — Servant of the Most Merciful Abeid — Little servant (of God)Abshir — Rejoice, receive good news Abubakar — Father of the young camel Abubakari — Form of Abu Bakr, the first Caliph Abubakr — Father of the young camel; early riser Adan — Form of Adam, the first man Alawi — Of ʿAli; descendant of ʿAli Amiir — Prince, leader, commander Amirali — Commander Ali; prince Ali Amiri — Prince, commander, leader Arafa — Arafah, the plain of the Hajj Athumani — Form of Uthman, the third Caliph Awale — Lucky, fortunate Axmed — Most praiseworthy Ayub — Prophet Job, the patient one Bahati — Luck, good fortune Bakari — Form of Abu Bakr, the first Caliph Baraka — Blessing, divine grace Bashiir — Bringer of good news Beshir — Bringer of good news Cabdi — Servant (of God)Cabdiaziz — Servant of the Almighty Cabdifitaax — Servant of the Opener Cabdikariim — Servant of the Most Generous Cabdillaahi — Servant of God Cabdinaasir — Servant of the Helper Cabdiqaadir — Servant of the All-Powerful Cabdirashiid — Servant of the Rightly Guiding Cabdiraxiim — Servant of the Most Compassionate Cabdiraxmaan — Servant of the Most Merciful Cabdisalaan — Servant of the Source of Peace Cabdishakuur — Servant of the Most Appreciative Cabdiwali — Servant of the Protecting Friend Cabdixakiim — Servant of the All-Wise Cabdullaahi — Servant of God Cabdullahi — Servant of God Cabdulqaadir — Servant of the All-Powerful Cali — Exalted, high, noble Ciise — Prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus)Cilmi — Of knowledge, learned Cismaan — ʿUthmān; often explained as a young bustard Cumar — Long-lived, flourishing Daa'uud — Prophet Dāwūd (David); beloved Dahir — Pure, clean, virtuous Daud — Beloved (Prophet David)Deeq — Gift, generosity, bounty Duale — Generally explained as 'of prayer'Elmi — Of knowledge, learned Faarax — Joy, happiness Fadhili — Kindness, favour, generosity Faraji — Consolation, relief Farax — Joy, happiness Faysel — Decisive judge; one who separates right from wrong Feysal — Decisive judge; sharp sword Guled — Winner, victorious Guuleed — Victorious, successful Haaruun — Prophet Hārūn (Aaron)Habiib — Beloved, dear friend Hachim — One who breaks bread for others Hafidh — Guardian, preserver; memoriser of the Quran Haji — Pilgrim; one who has made Hajj Hamadi — Praise, praiseworthy Hamis — Thursday; born on Thursday Hamisi — Thursday; born on Thursday Haruna — Prophet Harun (Aaron)Hasani — Handsome, good Hashi — Generally explained as a form of Hāshim Hassani — Good, handsome Hemedi — Praise; praiseworthy Hersi — Amulet, protective charm; protected Hirsi — Amulet, protective charm; protected Hussen — Little handsome one Ibraahim — Prophet Ibrāhīm (Abraham)Ibrahimu — Prophet Abraham Iddi — Festival; born on Eid Idrisa — Form of Idris, the Prophet Imani — Faith, belief Ismaaciil — Prophet Ismāʿīl; 'God hears'Ismaili — Form of Ismail, the Prophet Isse — Jesus, Prophet of God Jaamac — Gatherer, one who brings together Jabari — Brave, mighty Jabiri — Consoler, one who mends Jabril — Angel Jibrīl (Gabriel)Jafari — Stream, small river Jama — One who gathers, unites Jibriil — Angel Jibrīl (Gabriel)Jimcaale — Born on a Friday Juma — Friday; born on Friday Jumaa — Friday; gathering Jumah — Friday, the day of gathering Jumanne — Tuesday; born on Tuesday Kaafi — Sufficient, adequate Kamar — Moon Kassim — One who divides, distributes Kassimu — One who distributes, shares out Khadar — The Green One (al-Khidr)Khalfan — Successor, one who comes after Khalif — Successor Khamis — Thursday; born on Thursday Liban — Success, salvation, prosperity Liibaan — Success, victory, prosperity Mahad — Thanks, gratitude Mahamed — Praised, commendable Masudi — Fortunate, happy Maxamuud — Praised, praiseworthy Mbaraka — Blessed Mbwana — Young master, lord Mohamedi — Praised, praiseworthy Mohamud — Praised, praiseworthy Mtumwa — Servant (of God)Mubarak — Blessed Muhajir — Emigrant, one who migrates for God Muhsin — Benefactor, one who does good Muktar — Chosen, selected Mussa — Moses, the Prophet Mustaf — Chosen, selected Muuse — Prophet Mūsā (Moses)Mwalimu — Teacher Mwinyi — Lord, master, owner Nasoro — Helper, one who brings victory Nassir — Helper, supporter, giver of victory Nassoro — Helper, supporter Nebil — Noble, honourable Nimcaan — Blessing; one who is blessed Nuhu — Prophet Noah Nuru — Light Nuur — Light, radiance Omari — Long-lived, flourishing; form of Umar Qaasim — One who distributes fairly Raage — Generally explained as 'one who was late'Rahiim — Merciful, compassionate Rajab — The seventh Islamic month; honoured Rajabu — Born in the month of Rajab Ramadan — The month of fasting Ramadhani — Born in the month of Ramadan Rashidi — Rightly guided, wise Roble — Born in the rain; bringer of rain Robleh — Born in the rain; bringer of rain Saciid — Happy, fortunate, blessed Sadam — One who confronts, a forceful striker Sadeeq — True friend Sadik — Truthful, sincere, faithful Sahal — Easy, gentle, smooth Saidi — Happy, fortunate Sakariye — Prophet Zakariyyā; 'God remembers'Salad — Prayer Salem — Safe, sound, unharmed Salum — Safe, sound, whole Samatar — Usually explained as one who brings goodness Sefu — Sword Seif — Sword Selemani — Solomon, the Prophet Shaaban — Born in the month of Shaban Shabani — Born in the month of Shaban Shafik — Compassionate, tender-hearted Shakur — Most appreciative, very grateful Shariff — Noble, honourable Siyad — Increase, growth, abundance Sulaymaan — Prophet Sulaymān (Solomon); peaceful Twaha — Ta Ha, opening letters of Surah 20 Waberi — Dawn, daybreak Warsame — Good news, bearer of good news Wazeer — Minister, counsellor, helper Xaaji — Pilgrim, one who has made the Hajj Xaashi — Generally explained as a form of Hāshim Xamdi — Of praise, praiseworthy Xamza — Strong, steadfast; lion Xasan — Good, handsome Xirsi — Amulet, protective charm; protected Xuseen — Little handsome one Yaaqoob — Prophet Jacob; usually explained as one who follows Yaasiin — Yā Sīn, opening letters of Sura 36 Yaxye — He lives; Prophet Yaḥyā (John)Yonis — Prophet Yūnus (Jonah)Yusufu — Joseph, the Prophet Yuunis — Prophet Yūnus (Jonah)Yuusuf — Prophet Yūsuf (Joseph)Zaahid — Ascetic, devout, detached from worldly things Zakariye — Prophet Zakariyyā; 'God remembers'Zubeir — Strong, firm Zuberi — Strong; form of Zubayr

Girl names (153)

Abiir — Fragrance, perfume Aidah — Returning; visitor Amana — Trust, trustworthiness, loyalty Amani — Wishes, hopes, aspirations Amino — Safe, trustworthy, secure Anab — Grapes Asha — Life, living Badria — Like the full moon Bakhita — Lucky, fortunate Barakah — Blessing, divine abundance Barkhado — Blessed one, bringer of blessing Barwaaqo — Prosperity, abundance after rain Bashirah — Bearer of good news, joyful Bilaan — Beauty, beautiful Bilan — Beauty, beautiful Caasha — Living, full of life Cambaro — Ambergris; precious fragrance Casho — Living, full of life Cawo — Good fortune, luck Dahabo — Gold, golden Deeqa — Gift, generosity, bounty Deeqo — Gift, generosity Deqa — Gift, generosity, bounty Faadumo — One who weans; abstaining Fadhila — Virtue, moral excellence Faduma — One who weans; abstaining Fadumo — One who weans; one who abstains Faraha — Joy, a moment of happiness Fardowsa — Paradise, the highest garden Fartun — Fortunate, lucky Fathia — Victory; opening, a new beginning Fatuma — Form of Fatima, the Prophet's daughter Fowsia — Successful, victorious Fowziya — Successful, triumphant Haawo — Eve, mother of mankind Hadija — Form of Khadija, first wife of the Prophet Hamda — Praise, one who praises Haneefa — Upright in faith, true believer Hanifa — Upright in faith, true believer Hanifah — Upright, true in faith Hasina — Beautiful, lovely Hawa — Eve; living, life-giving Hawwa — Eve; usually linked to life Hidaya — Guidance, being rightly guided Hiddayah — Guidance from God Hinda — Form of Hind, an old Arabian name Hodan — Abundance, wealth, prosperity Huriya — Freedom, liberty Husaina — Little beautiful one Husna — The best, most beautiful; excellent end Ifrah — Giving joy, gladdening Iftin — Light, brightness Ikraan — Honour, respect Ikran — Honour, respect, generosity Jalilah — Great, eminent, exalted Jawaahir — Jewels, precious gems Jawahir — Jewels, gems Kadija — Born early, premature child Kaltun — Plump-cheeked, chubby-faced Kuruthum — One with full, rosy cheeks Luul — Pearl Mabrookah — Blessed, fortunate Maimuna — Blessed, auspicious, fortunate Maisha — Life, living well Malaika — Angels; angel Mariamu — Form of Maryam, mother of Jesus Maryan — Form of Maryam, mother of Jesus Masika — Born during the long rains Mubaarakah — Blessed Mubaraka — Blessed Mubarakah — Blessed Mumina — Believer, faithful woman Munirah — Radiant, shining, giving light Mwajuma — Child of Friday Mwanaarafa — Child of the Day of Arafah Mwanaasha — Daughter of Aisha; living Mwanahamisi — Child of Thursday Mwanaharusi — Child of the wedding; bride Mwanahawa — Daughter of Hawa (Eve)Mwanaheri — Child of goodness, blessed child Mwanaid — Child of Eid, born at Eid Mwanaidi — Child of the Eid festival Mwanaisha — Daughter of Aisha; lively Mwanajuma — Child of Friday Mwanakheri — Child of goodness, blessed child Mwanamisi — Child of Thursday Mwanamvua — Child of the rain Mysha — Life, living Naciimo — Blessed, living in comfort and grace Naimah — Living in comfort; blessed, tender Naqia — Pure, clean Nasra — Help, support, victory Nasteho — Usually explained as at ease, contented Nuurto — Light, radiance Qaali — Precious, dear, valuable Radhiya — Content, well-pleased Rafeea — High, exalted, of high rank Raha — Free, released; (Arabic) rest, comfort Raheema — Merciful, compassionate, kind Rahmo — Mercy, compassion Ramla — A sandy place, a grain of sand Rashida — Rightly guided, mature Rauda — Garden, green meadow Rehema — Mercy, compassion Riziki — Provision, blessings from God Rowda — Garden, green meadow Rukia — Rising, ascending; gentle and refined Rukiya — Rising, ascending; gentle Rukiyya — Ascent, rising Ruqia — Form of Ruqayya, daughter of the Prophet Ruqiya — Form of Ruqayya, daughter of the Prophet Sa'ada — Happiness, felicity Saadah — Happiness, felicity Sabra — Patience, patient Sacdiyo — Fortunate, happy Safeenah — Ship, boat, ark Sahra — Desert; (as Zahra) blossom, radiant Saleema — Sound, healthy, safe Salima — Safe, sound, healthy Salimah — Safe, sound, healthy Samiya — Elevated, exalted, lofty Sauda — Dark-complexioned; noble lady Saumu — Fasting; born during Ramadan Sawda — Name of a Mother of the Believers Sawdah — Name of a Mother of the Believers Selam — Peace Semira — Pleasant companion in conversation Shani — Wonder, marvel Shareefa — Noble, honourable Sharifa — Noble, honourable Subira — Patience Tatu — Three; third-born Ubah — Flower Waridi — Rose Widaad — Love, deep affection, friendship Xaawo — Eve; usually explained as living Xabiiba — Beloved, dear Xadiija — Born early; premature child Xafsa — Young lioness Xaliimo — Gentle, patient, forbearing Xawa — Eve, mother of mankind Xuseyna — Little beauty; feminine of Husayn Yaasmiin — Jasmine flower Yaseera — Easy, gentle, bringing ease Yasira — Bringing ease, prosperous Yumnaa — Right hand; blessed, fortunate Zaakirah — One who remembers God Zaakiyah — Pure, virtuous, righteous Zaina — Beautiful; adornment Zamzam — The sacred well of Makkah Zawadi — Gift Zubeida — Cream, the best; excellent Zuhura — Venus, the bright star; radiant