Baby name given to a child is his or her first gift in life. Therefore, great care must be taken in choosing baby names that have pleasant and beautiful meanings just like our Prophet (P.B.U.H) did.

It is from the teachings of the Messenger of Allah, that each member of the family be given a good name. Those who ask Allah to give them children should also ask Allah to make these children among the followers of the Prophet Muhammad and adherents to his Sunnah. It is an obligation upon the parents that their child be given a good name.

The baby name should be meaningful as well. 'You will be called by your name on the day of judgment' this is another reason why it is important to chose a baby name with good meaning.

Personality Impact of Name

Psychologists now apprehend the wisdom of the effect a person’s name has on his life. But Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) had revealed this fact to his followers already 1400 years ago. His teaching to his followers was that children should be given good names, and that meaningless names and those having unsavory connotations should be avoided. Subsequently, we find many incidents mentioned in the Hadith where Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) changed the names of people with this object.

Another aspect of a person’s name is that it bespeaks a person’s religion. Hence the name of a Muslim is usually of such a nature that by the mere mention of it, the listener understands that the person so addressed, is a Muslim. It is for this reason that our elders laid great emphasis on keeping good and pleasant names.

Care Should Be Taken

Since the widespread of Western culture throughout the world, it has become customary amongst Muslims not to take into cognisance the meaning of the name when naming a child. Many do not even bother to ascertain whether it is permissible for one to keep such a name or not. Often, even if the name is correct and suitable, then by way of abbreviating it, its Islamic connotation is distorted. In fact, at times it even becomes unlawful to address one Rahmaan; Abdur-Razzaaq, Razzaqq and Wahhaab are the exclusive epithets of Allah Ta’ala. To address any creation, by such a name, is there unlawful.

Hadiths Relating Choosing Names

Naming a child with a beautiful and honourable name is very important. The Prophet always chose names with good and beautiful meanings, even telling people to change their names if they had unpleasant meanings.

Narrated by Abu Musa (RA)" a son was born to me and I took him to the Prophet who named him Ibrahim, did tahneek for him with a date, invoked Allah's blessing upon him and returned him to me. Sahih Bukhari 7:376

Ibn Umar (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger said that "the names dearest to Allah are Abdullah and Abdur-Rahman." Sahih Muslim 3:5315

Abu Wahab al-Jushamee (RA) who was the Companion of the Prophet reported him as saying", call yourselves by the names of the Prophets. The names dearest to Allah are Abdulla and Abdur Rahman, the truest are Harith (ploughman) and Hammam (energetic) and the worst are Harb (war) and Murrah (bitter)". Sunan Abu Dawood 3: 4140

Narrated Abu Hurayrah (RA). Allah's Apostle said, "the most awful name in Allah's sight on the Day of Resurrection will be that of a man calling himself Malik Al-Amlaak. (king of kings)". Sahih Bukhari 8:224.

Ibn Umar (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger changed the name of Aasiyah (disobedient) and said "You are Jameelah (good and beautiful). Sahih Muslim 3:5332 & 4747 (This name should not to be confused with Asiya, the Muslim wife of the Pharaoh)

Usaman Ibn Akhdari (RA) said, a man called Asram (harsh, severe, cut off) was among those who came to the Apostle of Allah. The Apostle of Allah said "what is your name?" he replied "Asram" He said "no, you are Zu'rah". (which means, has been taken or derived from crop, or to sow seed). Sunan Abu Dawood 3:4144