The Middle East is made up of many different countries — including Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia – with varying cultures, and there's a plethora of beautiful names that come from the region, for both boys and girls. Names like Malik, Omar, and Xavier (for boys) and Layla, Zara, and Fatima (for girls) all have Middle Eastern origins and are currently among the 500 most popular names in the US, according to Nameberry. And, of course, the name Aaliyah has been a popular choice in the US for some time, at least partially due to the world-renowned singer Aaliyah, as well as the name's beautiful meaning: "exalted."
Whether you're looking for Middle Eastern names to use as inspiration for your own baby's name, you're interesting in reading about the powerful meanings behind some Middle Eastern baby names, or you want a Middle Eastern baby name that honors your own heritage, this list of 230+ options is a great place to start. It's packed with some of our favorite Middle Eastern names, and their respective meanings, for baby boys and baby girls.
Middle Eastern Names For Boys
Image Source: Getty / Maskot
Middle Eastern Boy Names That Start With A
Abbas: Hebrew — Lion; stern
Abdel: Hebrew — "Servant of God"
Abdullah: Arabic — "Servant of Allah"
Adil: Arabic — Just
Adnan: Arabic — Settler
Ahmad: Arabic — "Gently praised"
Alvan: Hebrew — Sublime
Amir: Arabic — Prince; ruler; treetop
Anwar: Arabic — Brighter; clearer
Asim: Arabic — Protector; guardian
Aziz: Arabic — Powerful; beloved
Azhar: Arabic — Radiant; shining
Middle Eastern Boy Names That Start With B
Bahir: Arabic — Luminous; sparkling
Baraka: Arabic — Blessing
Basheer: Arabic — "The one who brings good news"
Bayan: Kurdish — Clearness; eloquence
Bijan: Persian — Hero
Middle Eastern Boy Names That Start With C
Cemal: Arabic — Beauty
Cyril: Greek — Lordly
Cyrus: Persian — Sun
Middle Eastern Boy Names That Start With D
Damian: Greek — To tame; to subdue
Dar: Persian — House; family
Daulah: Arabic — Wealth; riches; happiness
Demetrius: Greek — "Follower of Demeter [Greek goddess of grain]"
Deron: Armenian — "Belongs to God"
Dion: Greek — "Child of Heaven and Earth"
Dorian: Greek — "From Doris"
Middle Eastern Boy Names That Start With E
Erol: Arabic — Strong; courageous
Middle Eastern Boy Names That Start With F
Fadil: Arabic — Generous; giving
Farid: Arabic and Persian — Unique; precious
Middle Eastern Boy Names That Start With G
Gabriel: Hebrew — "God is my strength"
Ghani: Arabic — Generous; bountiful
Gil: Hebrew — Happiness
Middle Eastern Boy Names That Start With H
Haidar: Arabic — Brave; lion
Halil: Turkish and Albanian — Friend
Haroun: Arabic — High mountain; exalted; enlightened