Adam آدم
Meaning: The first human and first prophet
Created by Allah, taught the names of all things and honoured by the angels' prostration (Quran 2:30-37). He and his wife repented and were forgiven.
Muslim baby names
Prophets' names for boys
The 25 prophets named in the Quran, plus Ahmad, the name by which ‘Isa foretold the Prophet ﷺ (61:6). Each with a short account and the ayah.
Idris إدريس
Meaning: Name of the prophet Idris
"A man of truth and a prophet", whom Allah raised to a high station (Quran 19:56-57). He is named among the patient in Quran 21:85.
Nuh نوح
Meaning: Name of the prophet Nuh (Noah)
Called his people to Allah for 950 years and built the Ark (Quran 29:14, 11:37-48). Surah 71 carries his name.
Hud هود
Meaning: Name of the Arab prophet Hud, sent to the people of 'Ad
Sent to 'Ad, who lived in the south of Arabia; he warned them and was saved with the believers (Quran 11:50-60). Surah 11 carries his name.
Salih صالح
Meaning: Righteous, good, upright
Sent to the people of Thamud with the she-camel as a sign (Quran 11:61-68). The word salih (righteous) is also how the Quran praises many prophets.
Ibrahim إبراهيم
Meaning: Name of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), the Friend of Allah (Khalil Allah)
Allah took Ibrahim as a close friend (Quran 4:125). He built the Ka'bah with his son Isma'il (2:127) and is the father of the prophets after him. The Prophet ﷺ named his own son Ibrahim (Sahih Muslim 2315).
Lut لوط
Meaning: Name of the prophet Lut (Lot), nephew of Ibrahim
Believed in Ibrahim and was sent to the people of Sodom, who rejected him; he and his family were saved, except his wife (Quran 7:80-84).
Isma'il إسماعيل
Meaning: Name of the prophet Isma'il (Ishmael)
Son of Ibrahim and Hajar, "true to his promise, a messenger and a prophet" (Quran 19:54). He helped raise the Ka'bah (2:127) and is the ancestor of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Ishaq إسحاق
Meaning: Name of the prophet Ishaq (Isaac)
Son of Ibrahim and Sarah, given as good news to his parents in old age (Quran 11:71, 37:112).
Ya'qub يعقوب
Meaning: Name of the prophet Ya'qub (Jacob), also called Isra'il
Son of Ishaq and father of Yusuf. His patience at losing Yusuf ("beautiful patience", Quran 12:18) and his last advice to his sons (2:132-133) are told in the Quran.
Yusuf يوسف
Meaning: Name of the prophet Yusuf (Joseph)
Son of Ya'qub, sold by his brothers, imprisoned unjustly and raised to authority in Egypt. Surah 12 tells his story, which Allah calls "the best of stories" (12:3).
Ayyub أيوب
Meaning: Name of the prophet Ayyub (Job), known for patience
Tested with illness and loss, he called on his Lord and was relieved; "We found him patient. What an excellent servant!" (Quran 38:44).
Shu'ayb شعيب
Meaning: Name of the Arab prophet Shu'ayb, sent to Madyan
Sent to Madyan, who cheated in weights and measures; he told them to give full measure (Quran 11:84-95).
Musa موسى
Meaning: Name of the prophet Musa (Moses), the one Allah spoke to
Raised in Pharaoh's palace, he received the Torah and led the Children of Israel out of Egypt. He is the prophet named most often in the Quran.
Harun هارون
Meaning: Name of the prophet Harun (Aaron), brother of Musa
Musa asked Allah to make his brother Harun his helper because he spoke more clearly (Quran 20:29-36, 28:34).
Dhul-Kifl ذو الكفل
Meaning: The one with the share (or the pledge)
Named with Isma'il and Idris among "the patient" and the righteous (Quran 21:85-86, 38:48). The Quran gives no more detail about him.
Dawud داود
Meaning: Name of the prophet Dawud (David)
Defeated Jalut (Goliath), was made a king and prophet and was given the Zabur (Quran 2:251, 4:163). "He constantly turned to Allah" (38:17).
Sulayman سليمان
Meaning: Name of the prophet Sulayman (Solomon)
Son of Dawud, given knowledge, a kingdom no one after him would have, and the speech of birds (Quran 27:15-44, 38:35).
Ilyas إلياس
Meaning: Name of the prophet Ilyas (Elijah)
Sent to a people who worshipped the idol Ba'l; "Ilyas was one of the messengers" (Quran 37:123-132).
Al-Yasa' اليسع
Meaning: Name of the prophet al-Yasa' (Elisha)
Named with Isma'il and Dhul-Kifl among "the best" (Quran 38:48), and in 6:86.
Yunus يونس
Meaning: Name of the prophet Yunus (Jonah), also called Dhun-Nun, the man of the whale
Swallowed by a whale, he prayed "There is no god but You, glory be to You, I was among the wrongdoers" (Quran 21:87). Surah 10 carries his name.
Zakariyya زكريا
Meaning: Name of the prophet Zakariyya (Zechariah)
Guardian of Maryam, he prayed quietly for a child in old age and was given Yahya (Quran 19:2-11, 3:37-41).
Yahya يحيى
Meaning: He lives
Son of Zakariyya, given wisdom as a child, tender, pure and dutiful to his parents (Quran 19:12-15).
'Isa عيسى
Meaning: Name of the prophet 'Isa (Jesus), the Messiah, son of Maryam
Born to Maryam without a father, a sign from Allah; he spoke from the cradle and was given the Injil (Quran 19:16-36, 3:45-49).
Muhammad محمد
Meaning: Much praised, praised again and again
The final messenger of Allah ﷺ. He said: "Name yourselves with my name, but do not use my kunya" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3539, Sahih Muslim 2134).
Ahmad أحمد
Meaning: Most praiseworthy
'Isa gave "good news of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad" (Quran 61:6). It is one of the names of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Frequently asked questions
How many prophets are named in the Quran?
Twenty-five, from Adam to Muhammad ﷺ. Allah says there were others not named: “Of them are some We have told you about and some We have not” (Quran 40:78).
Is it good to name a son after a prophet?
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ named his son Ibrahim (Sahih Muslim 2315), and people named children after the prophets and the righteous before them (Sahih Muslim 2135).
Which names are most loved by Allah?
‘Abdullah and ‘Abd ar-Rahman: “The most beloved of your names to Allah are ‘Abdullah and ‘Abd ar-Rahman” (Sahih Muslim 2132).
How were these names checked?
Each name has its Arabic spelling, a meaning from the classical dictionaries or the Quranic word, and a source. Quran references are checked against the Uthmani text of the Quran each time the page is built.
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