NAMES FOR DANCERS AND OTHER GRACEFUL SOULS
GENTLEMENS
NAMES
Most
eastern languages do not insert the vowels, therefore in transliterations
"ee" and i" are negotiable. Likewise endings of "a"
and "ah". Inclusion of names does not necessarily indicate
acceptability as dance names, but every attempt was made to find those more
suitable for dancers. Those names which translated as "sword of God"
or equivalent were intentionally left out (i.e. .... al din). . Some examples
of common name combinations included.
Language
codes used: A=Arabic - B=Biblical - E= Egyptian - F=African - G=Greek - H=Hebrew/Israeli - I=India - M=Muslim-generic - NA-Native
American - P=Persian - R= Romany/Gypsy - T=Turkish
Aashiq (ah-sheek) -M = a lover, a suitor
Abbud - A = devoted
Abdul - A = servant
Abir - H = strong
Abisha - H = gift of god
Adar/Addar - M-Syrian =
prince, ruler, H = noble, exalted
Adham - A = black
Adil/Adeel
-
A = just, wise
Adir - H = majestic,
noble
Adiv - H = pleasant,
gentle
Ahanu - N. Am Indian =
laughter
Ahmad/Ahmed
(ah-mahd)
- M = one worthy of praise, one who praises Allah
Akmal - A = perfect
Ajmal (ahj-mahl) - M =
extremely handsome
Akbar (ahk-baar) - M, A
= the greatest, most pious, honourable, i.e. Akbar Ali
Akim/Joachim - H = "God
will establish"
Akin (AH-keen) - F-Nigeria
= warrior, hero, brave man
Alam - A = universe
Ali (AH-lee) - F, M =
noble, exalted
Alim - M = knowing,
wise
Amadi (ah-mah-dee) - F-
1) Nigerian sun god,
2)
Rejoice
Amal - H = worker, to
toil A = hopeful
Amani (ah-MAN-ee) - F-Kiswahili
=peace
Amare (ah-MAHR-uh) - F-Ethiopian
= "he is good looking"
Amin - H, A =
trustworthy, faithful, -Hindi = faithful
Amir/Ameer (ah-meer) - M =
commander, chieftain, ruler, nobleman, wealthy person
Amjad - M = highest
Amon - H =
trustworthy, faithful
Ammon - E = hidden; god
assoc with reproduction & life
Anas (ah-naas) - M =
man, friend, intimate friend
Anastasium - G =
resurrection
Ansar - M = helper
Ansari - M = my helper
Anwaar (ahn-WAAR) - M =
plural of noor (light); lustre, brilliance
Anwar (AHN-war) - M =
most bright, most brilliant, most handsome
Anjum (ahn-joom) - M =
pl. of najm - stars
Aram/Arra - M-Syrian =
high, exalted
Ardon - H = bronze
Ari/Arij - G = short form
for Aristotle or H = short for Ariel, Lion of God"
Arib/Areeb
(ah-REEB) - M = wise, intelligent, expert
Arif/Areef - A =
knowledgeable
Arlee/Arleigh/Arles - H = from the
Hebrew word "eravon", a pledge or promise to pay
Armon - H = castle,
palace
Arsenio/Arsenius
-
G = masculine
Arshad (ahr-shad) - M =
most upright, honest; well-guided person, most obedient
Arshaq (ahr-shak) - M =
handsome, with befitting height and well-proportioned body
Arvio - H = wanderer
Asad (ah-sahd) - M =
lion
Ashraf (ash-rahf) - M=
most noble, distinguished, eminent, of noble birth, a cultured person
Avery/Aubrey - Jewish German =
elf ruler
Aviv - H = "your
springtime"
Aydin - T = intelligent
Aymil - G = alt form of
"Emil", Latin = flatterer
A'zam (ah-zam) - M=
most great, pious, most exalted
Azeem/Azim - M = great,
dignified, exalted, i.e. Abdul-Azeem
Azad - T = free
Aziz/Azeez - M = dear,
beloved, respected, precious, powerful, rare
Azhar (ahz-haar) - M =
white, blooming, a face full of light,
2)
clearer, more evident
B
Bahir - A = brilliant,
dazzling
Barakaa – M = blessings,
abundance
Bayyan - M = clear,
evident
Bashaarat (bah-shaa-raht) -
M= good news, glad tidings
Basheer (bah-sheer) - M =
one who gives glad tidings, i.e. Basheer Ahmad
Bijan/Bihjan - P = Ancient
hero of legend
C
Cemal/Semal - A = attractive
Cyril/Kyril - G/Jewish =
lordly
Cyrus - P/Jewish = sun,
2) a
king of Persia 600-529 B.C.
D
Dabir (dah-BEER)
(dab-EER) - F-Egypt, Algeria = teacher, clerk
Damian/Daymian/Damion/Damien - G = Farmer;
soother, H = divine power or fate
Daoud - A = form of
David
Dar - H = pearl
Daren (DAH-rehn) - F-
Hausa = born at night
Dario - Spanish =
wealthy
Daudi (dau-oo-dee) or Daudy
- F-Swahili = beloved, also Dawud A= biblical King David
Daulah (daw-lah) - M =
riches, happiness, felicity, prosperity
Dekel - H,A = palm
tree/date tree
Demetrius/Dimitri/Dymek/Dimos - G = lover of
the earth (mythology)
Dion/Deon - G = form of
Dennis; Assoc. w/ god of wine, Dionysius
Deron - H = bird,
freedom
Diaab - M = one who perseveres
Dorian/dore/Doran - G = a gift
Duman - T = misty,
smoky
Durriken - R-gypsy = fortune
teller
E
Erol - T = strong,
courageous
F
Fadil - A = generous,
2) virtuous, abundance
Fahd - M = Lynx,
Panther
Farhaan (fahr-HAAN) - M =
glad, joyful, merry
Fahim/Faheem (fah-heem) - M =
intelligent, learned
Fareed/Farid (fahr-eed) - M = singular,
unique, precious; a precious pearl
Feroz - P = fortunate
Fuwaad - M = heart
G
Gabriel/Gabe - H = "God
is my strength"
Geno/Gennaro - G & Italian
form of John
Ghani - M = rich,
all-sufficing
Gil (GEE-L) - H = Joy
H
Habib - M = beloved,
darling
Haidar - A = lion
Hakim (hah-keem) - M F-Sudan 1) wise,
2)
doctor, medicine man,
3)
judge
Halil - T = dear friend
Hameen - M = intimate
friend
Hamzah (hahm-zaah) - M =
Lion
Haroun/Harun/Haarun
-
A = lofty
Hassan (hah-sahn) - M
F-Hausa 1) handsome , also Hassani (swahili)
Hosaam (hoo-saam) - M =
sword, i.e. Hosaamud-Deen/sword of god
Husani (hoo-SAHN-ee) - M
=beautiful/handsome
Husayn/Husain (hoo-seyn) - M =
beautiful/handsome
I
Ibrahim (EEH-brah-heem) - M = 1)
prophet of Allah,
2)
the Biblical Abraham,
3)
"father of the people)
Is'haaq
(eesh-ha-ak)/Ishaq/Isaac - M = name of a prophet, son of Ibrahim,
2)
one who laughs
Itamar - H = Island of Palms
J
JaabirJabir (jah-beer) - M-
=comforter; one who consoles; name of a sahaabi
Jabbaar (jahb-bah-ar) - M-
= mighty, king, attribute of Allah, one who consoles the bereaved
Jaali - F-Swahili =
fearless
Jaaved - M = alive,
living (used when siblings have died in the family)
Jael/Yael - H = mountain
goat
Jal - R-gypsy =
wanderer
Jalaal (jah-lahl) - M =
grandeur, greatness, eminence, glory, majesty, i.e. Jalaal Ahmad
Jaleel/Jalil (jah-leel) -
M = great; glorious; dignified; attribute of Allan
Jamaal (jah-mahl)/Jermal
- M = beauty; elegance, comeliness, of good looks and character
Jameel (jah-meel) - M =
handsome, physically and morally attractive; name of a sahaabi
Jamin/Jaymin/Jamon - H = favoured
Jamsheed/Jamshaid - M = sunshine,
lights
Jarah - H = sweet as
honey
Jared/Jarryd - H = descendent
Jarib (jah-REEB) - H =
"He will contend"
Jaron/Jaren/J'ron
-
H = "he will sing"
Jauhar (jaw-haar) - M =
diamond, gem, jewel, pearl; the essence of anything
Jawara (ja-wah-rah) - F-Senegal
= peace loving
Jibreel - M = form of
Gabriel (the angel)
Jhiraagh (cheer-agh) - M =
lamp, light
Jirani (jee-rah-nee) or Rani
- F-Kiswahili = neighbour
Jiri (jeer-ee) - F-Zimbabwe
1) forest of wild fruits.
2)
Also Czech version of "George"
K
Kabil - T = form of
"Cain"
Kalil - G = "Kalos",
i.e. beautiful
Kamil/Kaamil, also Kamal - M =
(kah-meel) M = perfect, complete, total, learned
Karam (kah-rahm) - M =
kindness, generosity, bounty, clemency
Karim/Kareem - M = bountiful,
magnificent, merciful, gracious
Kashif - M = discoverer
Kasib - M = earner,
provider
Khaatir (kah=TEER) - M =
idea, heart
Khairi - M = beneficent,
good
Khalid - M = immortal
Khalil - M = close
friend
Khurram - M = delightful,
happy
Kiral - T = supreme
leader
Kiril - -Slavic form of
Cyril (G = lordly)
Kivi - H = short form of
Akiba, i.e. Yaakov/Jacob
Kirvo (keer-VOH) - R-Am
Gypsy = godfather
Kito - F = Swahili =
jewel
L
Labon - H = white
Latif/Lateef (lah-teef) - M =
delicious, agreeable, fine, courteous, elegant, benevolent
Liron/Lyron - H = "song
is mine" from "Litron"
M
Magen - H = protector
Mahmud/Mahmood - M =
praiseworthy, much praised
Majid/Maajid (mah-jeed) - M =
glorious, honourable, generous
Makin - A = strong
Makis - G = From of
Michael
Malik/Maalik (mah-leek) - M =
master, lord, king; (MAH-lek) form of Malachai
Mannan - M = bountiful,
generous
Mansur - M = victorious,
triumphant
Manusch - R-Scott/Eng
Gypsy = man
Marjaan - M = small
pearls or corals
Marnin - H = sinner;
bringer of joy
Marzug - M = blessed by
Allah
Matek - G = Form of
Matthew (H = gift)
Matin/Mateen - M = strong,
prosperous, firm
Mazhar (mahz-hahr) - M =
a spectacle, sight, view
Mehtar - Indian/Sanskrit
= prince
Meir,
Muki - H = one who brightens, shines, enlightens
Melaku (meh-LAH-koo) - F-Ethiopian
= the angel
Micha/Misi/Mika (H)/Mikal -
short form for Michael
Miftah (meef-tah) - M =
key
Mikal - M = angel,
messenger
Miksa - form of Maxmillian,
- Latin = greatest
Mirza - M = title for
"mogul, sayyid"
Mubaarak (moo-bah-rahk) - M
= blessed, auspicious, fortunate
Muhibb (moo-heeb) - M =
beloved
Mulazim - M = tenacious,
persisting
Munir/Muneer (moo-neer)/Munir
- M = splendid, shining, something that reflects light
Murad - M = desired
purpose, intention
Murat - T = "wish
come true"
Murshid (mur-sheed) - M =
an instructor, a guide
Musa - M = form of
"Moses", meaning "from the water"
Musheer - M = advisor, counsellor
Mushin/Muhshin (moo-shin) - M =
benefactor, beneficent; one who confers favours
Mustapha/Mustafa - M = chosen one,
selected one
Muwakkil - M = one who can
be trusted
N
Naaman - H = pleasant
Nabeeh - M = noble, distinguished,
excellent
Nabeel (nah-beel)/Nabil
- M =noble, handsome, intelligent, dexterous; skilled in archery
Nadav - H = generous,
noble
Nadidah - A = equal to
anyone else
Nadir - M = rare,
unique (in English = (NAH-dur), lowest point)
Nafees (nah-fees) - M =
refined, pure; choice, exquisite
Nafis - M = precious,
life of a person
Nagid - H = ruler
Nailah - A = successful
Na'im - M = blessed
Najam (nah-jam) - M =
star, planet
Najee/Naji - A = safe,
2) friendly, affectionate
Najeeb (nah-jeeb) - M =
excellent, noble, generous
Najm - M = star
Namir - H = leopard
Nasim/Naseem - P = breeze,
fresh air
Nasr - M = victory
Nassar - M = helper,
protector, victory
Nayyir - M = luminous,
brilliant
Nazeer (nah-zeer) - M =
helper, friend, name of a shaabi
Nibal - A = arrows
Nicabar - R-gypsy =
stealthy
Nigel/Nigil
-
-Latin = dark night
Nishaat - M = liveliness,
energy
Nizam - A = leader
Noor (nur)/Nuri/Noori
- M, A, H = light; Allah’s epithet; "my fire"
Numair - A = panther
Nusair - A = bird of
prey
O
Ohannes - T = form of
John
Omar (oh-mahr) - M F-Somalia
= most high, 2) one of Mohammed's followers
Omari (oh-MAHR-ee) - F-Swahili
version of Omar
Oren/Orin/Orren - H = pine tree
Ori - H = "my
light"
P
Philo - G = love
Pias - R-gypsy = fun
Pirro - G = flaming
hair
Q
Qadir - M = patient,
steadfast
Qamar (Kwa-mahr) - M =
the moon
Qasim - M = divider,
distributor
R
Ra'ees (rah-EES) - M -
leader, chief, captain, prince, nobleman
Raashid (rah-sheed) - M =
pious, follower of the right path
Radhee/Radhi
(RAHD-hee)
- M = lover, suitor also Radhi F-Kiswahili = goodwill,
2)
satisfied, content
Rafeeq/Rafiq (rah-feek) - M =
friend, associate, companion; soft & kind-hearted person
Rafi - H = short of
Raphael (an Angel)
Raghib/Raaghib - A = desirous,
willing
Rafiki (rah-FEE-kee) - F-kiswahili
= friend, M = Rafiq (rah-FEEK) or Rafi = exalted
Raheem (rah-heem) - M =
Allah's epithet meaning Most Merciful, Most Kind
Rami (RAH-mee) - M =
love, F-Sudan
Ramza - M = symbol,
sign
Ramzee - M = my symbol
Rani/Ranie/Ranon - H = "my
song"
Rushdam - M = rightly
guided
Rashad - M = reason,
good sense
Rashid - M =
intelligent, rightly guided
Rasul - M = messenger,
angel
Ravi - Hindi = sun
Raviv - H = rain, dew
Rayhaan (ray-haan) - M =
sweet-smelling plant; any flower except rose; comfort
Razi/Raziel/Raziq
-
A = my secret
Reyhan - A = favored by
God
Ridha (reed-hah) - M =
Pleasure, contentment, approval, i.e. Ridhaa Ali
Ridhwaan (reed-wahn) - M =
Pleasure, happiness; doorkeeper of Jannah
Roni - A = "Joy
is mine"
Rubani (roo=BAH-ne) - F-Kiswahili
= pilot
S
Saalim (sah-ah-leem) - M
= safe, sound, perfect, complete
Saabir/Sabir (sah-beer) - M =
one who endures hardships without complaint
Saad - M = good
fortune
Saadiq (sah-deek)/Sadiki/Saakdiq/Sadique
- M = true, sincere, faithful, veracious; a man of his word; also F-Swahili
=faithful
Sahir - I-Hindi =
friend
Said/Sa'eed - M = fortunate,
auspicious, venerable, dignified, name of a sahaabi
Saif (sah-EEF) - M =
sword, i.e. Saifullah "sword of Allah"
Salah - M = goodness,
righteousness
Salim - M = one who is
peaceful, happy
Sami - M = sublime
Samir - A =
entertaining companion
Sa'ood (sah-OOD) - M =
fortunate, pious, auspicious, prosperous
Saleem (sah-leem) - M =
mild, affable, perfect, healthy, guarded against calamity
Samir/Sameer - M = one who
narrates stories or tales in the night
Sandor/Sander - H = pet form of
Alexander
Sef (sehf) - E = yesterday,
2) the lion God
Sefu (seh-foo) - F-Swahili
= sword, like A "Seif" = sword
Segel - H = from
"segula", treasure
Seyyid - M = mister, sir
Shabaka (SHAB-ah-khah) or
Shabako, - an Egyptian ruler 716-702 B.C.
Shahaab (sha-hahb) - M =
flame, brightness of flame, meteor; man of experience
Shaaheen/Shaeen (shah-heen) - M =
a royal white falcon
Shadee - M = singing
sweetly
Shadid - M = strong
Shakeer/Shakir - M = thankful,
gratefull
Shaki - A = singer
Shamir - H = precious
stone
Shams - M/P = the sun
Shaquille - A = handsome
Sharad - -Pakistan =
Autumn
Shareef/Sharif (shah-reef) - M =
noble, eminent, chief of a tribe; urbane
Sharifu (sha-REE-foo) - F-Kiswahili
= noble, honourable, like M "Sharif, Sherif"
Shavo (sha-VOH) - R-Am
gypsy = pre-puberty gypsy boy
Shawar/Shavit - H = comet
Shihab - A = blaze
Shunnar - A = pleasant
Shebaro - R-Am gypsy =
gypsy boy of marriageable age; groom
Siddeeq/Sidiq
-
M = just, sincere, a true friend; one who is true in word & deed
Silaah (see-lah) - M =
arms, armour, weapons
Siraaj (SEE-raaj)/Siraj
- M = lamp, the sun, candle
Sirhan - M = wolf
Soroush - P = happy
Subhi - A = early
morning
Suhail/Sujal - A = gentle
Sukru - T = grateful
Symon/Syman - G = form of
Simon
T
Tahir/Taheer - A = innocent,
pure
Taj - M = crown
Takis/Takius - g = form of
Peter
Tal/Talya - H = dew, rain
Talib - M = student,
seeker
Tamar - H = date, palm
tree
Tameez/Tamiz (tah-meez) - M =
discernment, discretion, judgement, sense, distinction
Tariq - M = piercing star
Thaaqib - M = piercing,
glistening
Tibon/Tivon - H = student of
nature
U
Uri/Uriel - H = my light,
one of God's angels
Uwais - M = small wolf
W
Waheed - M = unique,
singular
Waseem - M = graceful,
handsome
X
Xavier/Zavier/Zavian - A = bright
Xantheus - Latin =
golden-haired
Y
Yakub - M = form of
Jacob (H = Yaakov)
Yanni - G = form of
John
Yaron - H = "he
will sing"
Yasir - M = gentle,
prosperous
Yasuf (yoo-SOOF) or
(YOO-soof) - M F-Swahili = the beautiful, "he shall increase", the
biblical Joseph. Also Yusef.
Yazdan - M = merciful,
kind
Yishai - H= form of Jessee
Z
Zahir (zah-heer) - M =
a blooming flower; bright & shining colour; lofty
Zafar (zah-far) - M =
victory, triumph, name of a sahaabi
Zafeer (zah-feer) - M =
of firm and resolute intention
Zaheer/Zahir (zah-heer) - M =
blooming, shining, luminous ,
2)
ally, protector
Zahur (ZAH-hoor) - F-Swahili
= flower
Zain (zah-een) - M =
ornament, beauty, grace, honour, to beautify, to decorate
Zaki - A = bright,
pure
Zakir - H = alt. form
of Zachary
Zalman - Afghani = young
Zamir - H = songbird
Zarif - M = elegant,
graceful
Zayid - M = increasing,
growing
Zehab - T = gold
Zeki - T = clever,
intelligent
Zemar - Afghani = lion
Zephan - H =
"treasured by God", short for Zephaniah
Zev,
Zeev - H = a wolf
Zevi/Tzvi - H = deer
Zia - H = trembling, moving
Zimra - H = "song
of praise"
Zohar
- H = bright light
Zuberi (zoo-beh-ree) - F=Swahili
= strong
Zufar (zoo-fahr) - M =
Lion, brave person, army, flowing river
Zihayr - A = brilliant,
shining
Zuri (zoo-ree) - F-Kiswahili
= good, beautiful