NAMES FOR DANCERS AND OTHER GRACEFUL SOULS ...

Most eastern languages do not insert the vowels, therefore in transliterations "ee" and i" are negotiable. Likewise endings of "a" and "ah". If you do not find your name as a woman's name, try looking under men's name with an ending variation. Inclusion of names does not necessarily indicate acceptability as dancer names, but every attempt was made to find appropriate ones. Those which seemed to be purely religious were omitted.

Language codes used: A=Arabic, B=Biblical, E= Eygptian, F=African, G= Greek, H=Hebrew/Israeli, I=India, M=Muslim-generic, NA-Native American, P=Persian, R= Romany/Gypsy, T=Turkish

A

Aaminah (ah-MEE-nah)

M = lady of peace and harmony

Aanisah/Anisa (ah-NEE-sah)

M = pious-hearted lady; good-natured

Aasiyah (ah-SEE-yah)

M = 1) mansion with good foundation, 2) queen with a powerful dynasty

Abda

M = slave girl, espc. A black slave girl

Adena (ah-dee-nah)

G, H Noble, adorned (form of Adriana)

Adilah

M = "one who deals justly"

Adira

H = mighty/strong

Adrienne/Adrea/Daria

French ver. Of Greek "girl from adira"

Afsana (ahf-SAH-nah)

P= tale/story

Ahava (ah-hah-vah)

H =beloved

Aisha - (ah-EE-shah)

F-Swahili/A = 1) life, alive, 2) Muhammed's chief wife

Alena

H = russian form of Helen

Alika (ah-lee-kah)

F-swahili = most beautiful

Almas (ahl-mas)

M-diamond

Amara (ahm-AHR-ah)

F- 1) Abyssinian legend= "paradise", 2) Kiswahili= urgent news 3) G = eternally beautiful

Ameenah/Amina (ah-MEE-nah)

M = Trustworthy; faithful, honest; trustful, honest, 2) Mohammed's mother

Amira

M = princess, ruler, H = speech, words

Anadil (an-nah-dil)

A-nightingales

Andalee

M = nightingale

Aneesh (ah-neesh)

M = companion, affectionate friend; name of a sahaabi

Annakiya (ah-nah-KEE-yah)

F- Housa= Sweet face

Anjum (ahn-joom)

M = plural of najm. Stars

Anthea

G = flowery

Aquilah

M = intelligent

Arda/Ardah

H = bronzed, also the month of "Adar" (Feb-March)

Arella (ah-rehl-lah)

H = angel, messenger

Ariel/ariela/Ariella/Ariel

H = lioness of God

Ashaki (ah-SHAH-kee)

F- W. African= beautiful

Ashia (ash-EE-uh)

F- Somali=Mohammed's favorite wife

Ashira

H = wealthy

Asma

M = beautiful

Atira/Aatira (ah-teer-ah)

M = of good fragrance; connoisseur of fragrances

Atiya

M = gift, present

Aviva

H = spring

Avivit

H = lilac

Ayana (ah-HAYN-ah)

F-Ethiopian= beautiful flower

Aymelek (aay-meh-lek)

T= moon angel

Ayperi (aay-peh-ree)

T= moon fairy

Aysel

T = moonlike

Azah

H = strong, bright

Azima/Azeemah (uh-Zee-mah)

M = great, dignified

Aziza/Azeezah (ah-ZEE-zuh)

A, F-Kiswahili= precious, Somali=gorgeous, H= strong M = dear, respected, esteemed; precous, rare, powerful

Azhar (ahz-hahr)

A=Flowers

B

Bahijah

M = joyful, delightful, happy

Bahirah

M = brilliant, splendid

Basheera

M = good news

Basimah

M = smiling one

Benazir (bee-nah-zeer)

P= "the like of whom was never seen"

Bilquees

M = Queen of Sheba (biblical)

Binnaz (BEE-naz)

T= "a thousand blandishments", i.e. charming

C

Caasi

H = Jewish variant of Catherine or Cassandra

Callista/Kallista

G = most beautiful

Candace/Candide

G = white-hot fire, incandescent

Carissa/Karissa

G = beloved

Celina/Celeste

Jewish = from the latin "Heavenly"

Charis (char-is)

G = grace, kindess

Charo

H = form of Caroline

Civia/Tzevi

H = a deer

Coral

G = the precious stone coral

Crystal/Chrystal

G = clear, brilliant gleam

D

Daima

T = always

Dalia

H = 1)a branch, 2) to draw water

Dana

Latin = bright as day, H = to judge

Daphne

G = laurel or bay tree

Dara/Dahra

H = compassionate

Daria

G = feminine form of Dairus (G = wealthy)

Daya/Dayeah

H = a bird

Defne

T = laurel

Deka (DEH-ka)

F-Somali= one who pleases

Delia

Latin = an inhabitant of Delow, birthplace of Artemis & Apollo

Delila/Delilah

H = 1) poor, 2) hair

Dena/Dinah

H = judgement

Deniz

T = sea

Devra

H = var. Form of Deborah , 2) a bee

Dilber

T = beautiful, attractive

Dilek

T = wish, desire

Dilshad (deel-shad)

P= "of happy heart"

Dincer

T = lively, brisk

Dione/Dionne

G = form of latin name "Diana"

Ditza/Ditzah

H = joy

Dolunay

T = full moon

Duha

M = forenoon

Dunya (duhn-yah)

M= world; T (Dnya)

Durrdana (door-DAH-nah)

P= pearl or Durrah M = pearl

Durrishahwar

M = royal pearl

Durriyyah

M = brilliant, glittering

E

Ebediyet

T = eternity

Ebru

T = marbling (as on paper decoration)

Edibe

T = writer

Electra

G = the shining one

Elmas

T = diamond

Emel

T = ambition

Emine

T = confident

Eris

T (no special meaning)

Esma/Esmer

T = brunette

Eshe (AY-shay)

F-Swahili = life

Etana

H = strong

Eve also Ive (EEV-ah)

F-Kiswahili= to ripen, also Chava (hah-vah) H=life

Evona

H = var. Form of Yvonne or Evonne

F

Faaria

M = tall, pretty

Faghira

M = Jamine flower

Farhannah (fahr-HAH-nah)

M = glad, joyful

Fahima

M =intelligent, disarming

Farah

M =joy, cheerful

Farida/Fareeda (fah-ree-dah)

P= incomparable beauty, M= unique, singular, precous

Fatima/Faatimah (FAH-tee-mah)

M = "baby girl who is weaned", wife of Ali

Fatin

M = fascinating, charming

Fikriyyah

M = meditative

Filiz

T = bud, sprout

Firuze

T = turquoise

G

Gabi

H = pet form of Gabriela, "God is my strength", name of an angel

Galiah

H = wave

Geela (gee-lah)

H = joyful (fem. form of Gil)

Ghazala/Ghazaalah (ghah-zah-lah)

P= gazelle, i.e. graceful; the sun

Gia

Jewish = pet form of Regina, "queen"

Gulbadan (GOOL-bah-dan)

P= rose-body

Gulbahar (GOOL-ba-haar)

T= rose spring

Gulbarg (GOOL-bargh)

P= rose-petal

Guldali (GOOL-dah-lee)

T= rose twig

Gulfiliz (GOOL-feh-leez)

T= rose sprout

Gulgzel

T = Rose-beauty

Gul-i rana (GOOL-ee-rahna)

P= lovely rose

Gulnar

M = Pomegranate flower

Gulperi (GOOL-peh-ree)

T= rose fairy

Gulrang (GOOL-rahng)

P= rose-coloured

Gulrukh (GOOL-rookh), also Gulru, Gul'adhar

P= rose face

Guls/Gls

T = laugh

Gulseren (GOOL-seh-ren)

T= spreading roses

Gulshan (GOOL-shan), Gulistan (GOOL-ees-tan)

P= rose garden

H

Habibah

M = darling, beloved

Hadara/Hadarah (hah-dah-rah)

H = adorned with beauty, splendid

Hadassah (hah-das-sah)

H = myrtle tree, symbol of victory

Hadiyah

M = gift, valuable person

Hafiza

T = memory

Hafsa

M = cub, young lioness

Halima/Haleemah (hah-LEE-mah)

M = lady of patience and perserverance

Hana

M = happiness, peace of mind

Hanifah

M = true, upright

Hanife

T = lady

Huraiva

M = kitten

Harika

T = marvelous, wonderful

Huriye

P = "like a Houri", i.e. maiden of paradise

Hasina/Hasseenah (hah-SEE-nah)

F-Swahili= good, M = beautiful lady w/attractive face

Hayal

T = dream

Hazine

T = treasure

Hilal

T = crescent

Hulya/Hlya

T = daydream

I

Ilanah

H = tree

Ihsan

M = charity

Inas

M = well-mannered

Inci

T = pearl

Iona

G = purple colored jewel

Ipek

T = silk

Iris

T = iris flower

J

Jael

H =1) mountain goat, 2) to descend

Jahan (jah-HAN)

P= world, Jahanara P= world adorning

Jale (jah-leh)

P= dew-drop

Jalilah

M = great, exalted

Jamila/Jameelah (jah-MEE-lah)

M= beautiful, elegant

Jannah/Jannat

M = heaven, garden

Jemina (jeh-meen-ah)

H = dove. Also Jonina, Jonita.

Jessenia

A = flower

Jini (JEE-nee)

F=Kiswahili= a genie

Johari (joh-HAHR-ee)

F=Kiswahili= jewel

Jumanah

M = pearl

Jwahir (jeh-WAH-hair)

F-Somali= golden woman

Jawahir (jah-WAH-hair)/Jawharrah, also Jauhar/Gauhar

M= jewels

K

Kadife

T = velvet

Kadri/Kadriya

T = Kader/destiny

Kanwal

M = water lily

Kaela (kay-ehl-lah)

A, H short form of Kalila, Kelila

Kahina (kah-HEE-nah)

F-Berber leader, prophetess and warrior princess. Died in Tunisia AD.703

Kahire (kah-heer-eh)

T = city of Cairo

Kala/Cala

A = fortress, castle, also listed as a Buddhist saint's name (if pronounced cha-lah)

Kardelen

T = snowdrop (flower)

Kartane

T = snowflake

Kasia/Kassia

Jewish/Polish = form of Catherine

Kayra

T (no special meaning)

Kelia/Kayla

H = crown, laurel

Khalida

M = immortal; surviving/alive

Khawala

M = servant, dancer

Kamila/Kaamilah (kah-MEE-lah)

M = complete, perfect

Kamaria (kah-mah-REE-ah)

F-Swahili, Somali= like the moon

Kamra (kam-rah)

M=Moon

Karima/Kareemah (kah-ree-mah)

M = generous lady, bountiful; something invaluable

Khadija OR Kadija (kah-dee-YAH)

M= Mohammed's first wife, means "born prematurely"

Kirvi (keer-VEE)

R-Am Gypsy = godmother

Kralice

T = queen

L

Lale

T = tulip

Larisa/Larissa

Latin = cheerful

Lateefah/Latifa (lah-TEE-fah)

F-N. Africa= pleasant, gentle, good humor

Layla / Leyli

F=Swahili (ligh-LAH) A/P = (Leh-lah) Famous beauty in Leyla & Majnun, 2) night. Also Leilah (leh-lah) P= having dark hair

Leda

G = mythology, a spartan queen, mother of Helen of Troy

Leorah

H = light to me

Levana (leh-vahn-ah)

H = moon

Levona

H = spice, incense, usually white in color

Leylak

T = lilac

Lina/Liynaa

M = tender

Lubina

M = flexible

LuuLuu

M = Jewel-like, pearl

M

Mahaila

Indian 1) var form of Arabic "Mahala", i.e. "Fat, bone or marrow", 2) also var. Form of Mahola H = dance

Mahasin

M = "how beautiful"

Mahin (mah-HEEN)

P= related to the moon

Mahirimah (mah-heer-eh-mah)

P= Sun-Moon, i.e. very beautiful

Mahliqa (mah-lee-kah)

P, Mehlika (meh-lee-kah) T, = moonlike

Mahsati (mah-SAH-tee)

P= moon lady

Mahasti (mah-HAS-tee)

P= "You are a moon"

Mahira (mah-heer-ah)

H = energetic

Mahtab (mah-taab)

P= moonlight

Maia

G = mythology: daughter of Atlas, Mother of Hermes

Majidah

M = powerful, noble

Manolya

T = magnolia

Malha

H = queen

Marika

Jewish = Slavic form of Mary

Marilla

H = form of "Mary"

Marinna/Marina/Rina/Marna/Marisa

Jewish = from the Latin "marius" the sea

Marjanna

P = coral

Marjani (mahr-JAH-nee)

F-Swahili= coral, Kiswahili=red coral

Maisha (mah-EE-shah)

F-Kiswahili= life

Malaika (mah-LAH-EE-kah)

F-Kiswahili= Angel

Malkia (MAHL-kee-yah)

F-Kiswahili= Queen, also H- Malka (mal-kah), M-Malika

Manishie

R-Scot/Eng Gypsy = woman, wife

Manzuma

E = poem or song

Mariyah (maar-ee-YAH)

M = lady with fair complexion

Maryam (maar-ee-yam)/Maryum

M = famous lady- mother of Sayyidona Esaa

Mavis

T = blonde

Mazana

H = an invented name from the Hebrew word for amazing

Mehira

H = from "mahir", speedy or energetic

Mehtap

T = moonlight

Melanie

G = "from "Melas", i.e. black

Melani

T (no special meaning)

Melek/Melik

T = angel (see also Malika)

Melina

G = "melos" a song

Melissa

G = a bee, from "meli" honey

Meltem

T = breeze

Menekse

T = violet (flower)

Mercan

T = coral

Merhamet

T = mercy

Merla/Merle

From Latin/French = a bird

Mersin

T = myrtle

Meryem

T = form of Maryam/Miriam

Mia/Michaela

H = "who is like God?"

Milena

from old High German/Jewish = "milo" mild, peaceful

Mine (mee-neh)

T = enamel

Minnetar

T = grateful

Minnet

T = gratitude

Mirit

H = sweet wine

Meira (meh-eh-rah)

H = light, connotation of sharing one's light with others

Melantha

G = dark flower

Melita

G = honey bee (form of "Melissa)

Meral (meh-rahl)

T= gazelle

Mira/Mirra

= short form of Miriam/Miranda, Latin = "strong, wonderful"

Mirella/Mirabella

Latin = of great geauty

Miriam (MAR-ee-um)

M, F-Ethiopian= the biblical "Mary"

Moira/Moriae

G = mythology "goddess of destiny/fate"

Molara

- Basque, form of "Mary"

Morgan

Welsh = sea dweller

Moyna

Celtic = gentle, soft

Muneerah (moo-neer-ah)

M = brilliant, shining, something that reflects light

Musherrah

M = counselor

Mushtaree

M = Jupiter, planet

N

Naadirah/Nadira (nah-DEER-ah)

M = rare, choice, precious, fem. Of "nadir", lowest point in English

Naia/Naiad

G = to flow/i.e. water

Nalani

Hawaiian = calmness of the heavens

Nawaar

M = blossom, flower

Nabila/Nabeelah (nah-BEE-lah)

M-Egyptian= Noble

Nadhirrah (nahd-heer-ah)

M = bright face with lustre & noor; healthy & happy

Nadima (nah-DEE-mah)

M = companion, friend

Nadhiyah

M = lively, pretty

Nafeesah (nah-fee-sah)

M = refined, pure, exquisite

Nageena

M = gem, pearl

Nahid

P = name for Venus, goddess of love in mythology

Na'ilah

M = one who obtains favor

Nagmah (nag-mah)

M = melody, song

Na'imah

M = blessing, happiness

Najah

M = safe, rescued, delivered

Najibah

M = high-born, excellent

Najida/Naajidah (nah-jee-dah)

M = courageous; one who accomp. difficult tasks

Najiyyah

M = friendly, affectionate

Najla

M = "has beautiful, wide eyes"

Naranj (nah-ranj)

P= orange/citrus fruit

Naja (HAH-jah)

M, F-Somalia= success

Najma/Najmah (NAJ-mah)

A= Star

Nane (nah-neh)

T = mint

Nara

Celtic = happy

Nargis

M = Narcissis Flower

Narin

T = delicate

Naseelah (nah-SEE-lah)

M = zephry; fragrant or cool breeze

Nasirah (nah-seer-ah?)

M = helper; aide, assistant

Nasreen (nahs-REEN)

M = white rose, jerico rose; joniquil

Nasya

H = miracle

Nava/Navit

H = beautiful

Nayer

P/Jewish = sunshine

Nazima

M = poetess, matron

Nazirah

M = leader, vanguard

Nazmiye

T = poem (nazim)

Navah

H = beautiful

Nayyirah

M = luminous, shining, brilliant

Nawal (nah-WAHL)

M, F-N. Africa= gift, attainment

Najlah

M = delicate feminine

Nazli (nahz-lee) or Nazi (nah-zee)

P= coquettish

Neelam

M = blue gem, precious stone

Nefes

T = breath

Nefsi/Nefis

T = wonderful

Nehan/Neslihan

T = happy lady

Nehayat

T = end, final

Neimah

H = pleasant

Nelofar

M = lotus, water lily

Nena

M = motherly

Nergis

T = daffodil

Nerita

G = sea snail

Nese

T = joy

Nila/Nyla

Egyptian = An ancient Egyptian princess/ the river Nile/Egyptian

Nilfer

T = water lilly/lotus

Nissa/Nyssa (NEE-sah)

H = sign, emblem G = beginning

Nisaa (nee-SAH)

M = women; "she that makes men forget"

Nitzah/Nizah

H = flower bud

Noelani

Hawaiian = a princess, means "beautiful one from heaven"

Nuha

M = wisdom, prudence

Nura

M = flower, blossom

Nuray

T = moonlight

Nureen

A/Jewish = light

Nurhan

T = bright lady

Nysa/Nyssa

G = the goal

O

Odella/Odele

G = melody/song

Ofra (OH-frah)

F-Mandinka= moon, H = kid or young goat

Ohelah

H = tent

Orah/Ora

H = light

Oralee

H = my light

Oriana/Oria

Jewish/ Latin = "oriens" meaning orient or the East

Orial

Old French/Latin = gold

Orli

H = "light is mine"

Ornah

H = pine

P

Parijan (par-ee-jahn)

P= fair soul

Parikhan (par-ee-khan)

P= fairy queen

Parvaneh/Parvane (pahr-van-EH)/Parvana

P = butterfly, T = night moth (regular butterfly is Kelebek)

Parvin (par-veen)

P= cluster of stars, Pleiades

Pazia/Paz

H = golden

Penda (PEHN-dah)

F-Swahili= beloved, Kiswahili= "to love"

Peninah

H = Pearl or coral

Perizad (per-ee-ZAHD) also Perizada,

P=born of the fairies

Phedre

G = "the shining one"

Phemia

G = voice, speech

Phila

G = love

Philana

G = lover of mankind

Pinar

T = fountain, spring

Pisliskurja

R-Bosnian gypsy = "darling"

Q

Qamar (kah-mahr)/Qamarah

M = the moon

R

Rabie

T = goddess

Rabiyah

M = garden, spring

Rafiqa

M = sweetheart, companion

Rafiyyah

M = high, lifting up

Rahibe

T = nun

Rajaa

M = hope

Rakhshanda

M = shining, brilliant

Ranaa

M = to look

Ra'naa (RAH-uh-nah?)

M = lovely, beautiful, graceful, delicate

Radhiya (rahd-HEE-yah)

M F-Swahili= agreeable, contented

Radhiyyah (rahd-hee-YAH)

M = pleased, contented, delighted

Ra'eesah (rah-EE-sah)

M = leader, princess, noble, a wealthy lady

Rafiqa

M = sweetheart, companion

Raheemah (rahd-HEE-mah)

M = kind, affectionate

Raihaanah (ra-ee-HAH-nah)

M = bouquet of flowers, sweet-smelling flower

Raisa/Raissa/Raizel/Rayzel/Razil

Jewish-Yiddish = rose

Rajeeyah

M = hoping, full of hope

Rakhshanda

M = shining, brilliant

Ramah

H = high

Ramla (rahm-lah)

F-Swahili= fortuneteller or prophet

Rana (rah-nah)

F-Kiswahili= happiness, rest

Rananah

H = fresh

Rani/Rane

H = my joy

Rashida

M = intelligent

Rashieka/Rashiqa (ruh-SHIH-kah)

A = descended from Royalty

Raushanah/Roshannah

M = skylight, bright

Rawnie

R-Gypsy = fine lady, i.e. non-gypsy

Rawiyah

M = narrator, storyteller

Rayah/Raya

H = friend

Rayyah

M = aroma, fragrance

Razi

A = my secret

Raziya (rah-ZEE-yah)

F-Swahili= sweet, agreeable

Rehena (reh-HAY-nah)

F-Swahili= compassion, Kiswahili= mercy

Renana

H = joy, song

Reshmaan

M = silky, of silk

Riesa

H = form of Thesesa

Rimona/ Rominah

H = pomegranate

Rina/Reena/Rinnah/Roni/ronit

H = song, joy

Rishona

H = first

Roni

H = my joy

Rukshana (Rook-SHAH-nah)

Russian variation of Roxanne, Sulieman's wife.

Rya

T = dream

S

Saahirah/Sahira (sah-HEER-ah)

M = earth, moon, spring which flows constantly

Saar-rah (sahr-RAH ) not "sarah"

M = lady who charming manner brings joy

Saba (SAH-bah)

F-Kiswahili= the # 7, pron . (sah-BAH) M=morning

Sabba

M = eastern wind, zephr

Sabbirah

M = patient, enduring

Sabeehah (sah-BEE-hah)

M = beautiful, handsome; lady w/fair complexion

Sabina/Savine/Savina

Latin "of the Sabines", an ancient tribe

Sabra

H = thorny cactus, 2) those born in modern Israel

Sabreen

M = patient

Sadiqah

M = truthful, sincere

Sadira

P = lotus tree

Sadiya/Sadya/Sa'diyya

A = lucky, good fortune

Sagheerah (sag-HEER-ah)

M = small, slender; tender

Sa'diyah (SAH-dee-yah?)

M = good fortune, happiness, blessed

Safi (sah-fee)/Safaa/Saffiyah

M, F-Kiswahili= clean, pure

Safira/Saphira/Sephira

H = form of sapphire

Sakinah

M = tranquility, calmness

Salihah

M = virtuous, upright

Salima/Saleemah (sah-LEE-mah)

M= safe from harm; mild, healthy, without defect

Salena/Salina

Latin = soft

Samaah

M = generousity

Samara

Latin = seed of the elm

Samia (sah-MEE-ah)

M= noble, lofty

Samina (sah-MEEN-ah)

M = healthy girl; fertile land without rock and stone; also fatty, or plump

Samira/Sameerah (sah-MEER-ah)

M = one who narrates stories in the night/ story teller/entertainer

Samiyah

M = elevated, lofty

Sanobar

M = pine tree

Sara

T = epilepsy; H = (Sarai/Sarah/Saretta/Sarina) = princess, noble

Sarafina (sehr-uh-FEE-nah)

H= ardent, like the angel who protects god's throne

Saree/Sarita

H = form of Sarah

Sauda

M = "black"

Sefa

T = pleasure

Segulah

H = treasure

Seher

T = dawn

Selma

T (no special meaning)

Selvi

T = cypress

Serap

T = mirage

Sevda

T = love, passion

Sevgi

T = love

Sevgili

T = darling

Sevinc

T = joy, delight

Seyyal

T = traveller

Sezen

T = feeling, suspicion

Shabanna

M = belonging to night, 2) young lady

Shabibah

M = youthful

Shabnam

M = dew

Shadiyah

M = singer

Shaheena

M = falconess

Shana/Shaina (SHAY-nah)

Yiddish = beautiful

Sheena

= Gaelic form of Jane

Shariykah

M = companion, partner

Selena/Celena

G = moon, like Selene the moon gooddess

Selima (seh-LEE-mah)

M, H= Peace

Shaia

R-Basque Gypsy = sister, also "tchaia"= young girl

Shaina/Shayna

H-Yiddish = beautiful

Shakarnaz (shah-kar-nahz)

P= sugar

Shakeelah (shah-KEE-lah)

M = comely, beautiful, well-formed, well-shaped

Shakira/Shaakirah (shah-KEER-ah)

M = grateful, contented

Shakufa (shah-KOO-fah)

P=opening bud

Shala/shahlaa (shah-LAH)

M = having grey eyes w/shade of red; species of Nacissis flower; also Shahla - Afghani = beautiful eyes

Shamaamah (shah-mah-mah)

M = fragrance of sent of itr (perfume)

Shameela/Shameelah

M = quality, character; young shoot, a bud

Shameena/Shamina (shah-MEE-nah)

M = fragrant, sweet-smelling scent; sweet breeze

Shamoodah (sha-moo-dah)

M = diamond, i.e. brillance, lustre

Shamsa (SHAM-sah)

P= Sun, feminine ending. Shamsha I= Sun

Shani (SHAH-nee)

F-Swahili= marvelous, Kiswahili = unusual thing/adventure

Shara/Sharna/Sharonda/Sharrona

H = form of Sharon

Sharifa/Shareefah (shah-REE-fah)

M= noble, gentle, urbane

Shazadi (shah-ZAH-dee)

P= princess

Shey

R-Am Gypsy = pre-puberty gypsy girl

Shebari

R-Am Gypsy = gypsy girl of marriageable age; bride

Shiri/Shirilee (sheer-ee-lee)

H = my song

Shirin (sheer-IN)

P=sweet, a legendary beauty

Shula/Shu'la

A = flaming, bright

Siddiqah

M = "one who keeps her word"

Sidona

H = enticing

Sidra

M = religious "lote-tree at the fartherest border of paradise"

Sigliah

H = violet

Sivia/Sivya

H = a deer

Songl

T = last rose

Soraya, Suraya (Soh-rai-yah)

P= Star, Pleiades constellation; Princess

Surayyah

M = free of worry; happy

Souzan

P = burning, fire

Suad

M = good fortune

Suhailah (soo-HAY-lah)

M = canopy, tent, marquee

Sura

T (no special meaning)

T

Tabitha

G/Aramic = roe, a gazelle

Tahmina (tah-MEE-nah)

P=Rustam's wife in famous poem

Tahira/Tahirah (tah-HEER-ah)

M = pure, chaste, pious, clean

Tahiyyah

M = greeting, cheer

Tajah

M = crown

Talia

H = dew

Taliah

H = lamkin

Talibah

M = seeker of knowledge

Talor/Talora

H = dew of the morning

Talya

T (no special meaning)

Tamar/Tamara/Tamarah( H) Tamra (tam-rah)

P= date (fruit) yeilding palm tree

Tania

Russian = the fairy queen

Taslimah

M = salutation, peace

Tavi/Tavita

H = fem. form of David, i.e. "Beloved"

Temirah

H = tall, erect, "like a palm"

Tayyibah (tah-YEE-bah)

M = good, sweet, agreeable, pure, chaste; "halaal"

Tarana

(tuh-rah-nuh) P= melody

Thalia

G = to flourish, to bloom

Thurrayya

M = star; the Pleiades

Timora

H = tall (as the palm tree)

Tikvah

H = hope

Tira

H = encampment/enclosure

Tirza/Tirzha/Tirsa

H = pleasant

Tomris

T (no special meaning)

Tova/Tovah

H = good

Tuhfah

M = present, gift

Tzafrirah (zah-freer-ah)

H = morning zephr

U

Uhuru (oo-HOO-ru)

F-Kiswahili= freedom

X

Xenia/Ximena

= from the Greek "Xenia", hospitality to a stranger

Y

Yalanda

G = form of Yolanda (violet flower)

Yaminah

M = right hand

Yasmin (YAHS-min) or (yahs-MEEN)

M= Jasmine, sym. Friendliness

Yegane (yeh-gah-nee)

P= incomparable beauty

Yeira

H = light (see also Meira)

Yemina

H = right hand

Yesim

T = jade

Yildiz

T = star

Yoninah

H = little dove

Yosefa/Yosifa

A = feminine of Joseph/Yosef

Z

Zabrina

H = form of Sabrina

Zahira/Zaahirah (zah-hee-rah)

M = blooming flower; of bright & lovely color; lofty

Zahra/Zahrah (ZAH-rah) or Zahara

M= flower

Zaib (zah-eeb)/Zainab

M = beautiful tree exuding fragrance; elder daughter of Rasoolulah

Zambak

T = lily

Zaraa' (zah-RAH)

M = beautiful; the Lady of Jannah

Zahavah

H = golden

Zakiyah (zah-KEE-yah)

M = lady of keen perception and sharp mind

Zalika (zah-LEE-kah)

F-Swahili= well-born

Zareen

M = golden, gold

Zarifah

M = graceful; T Zarifa/Zarifet = also code for "gay" in Ottoman times

Zayn

M = beautiful, graceful

Zeenat (zee-naht)

M = beauty, elegance, adornment

Zel

T = private, special

Zlem

T = longing, yearning

Zemirah

H = song of joy; hospitable

Zeinab (ZAY-nab)

F-Somali = good

Zena (ZAH-nah)

F-Ethiopian= Fame, P= woman, H= stranger (see Xenia)

Zikiya (zah-KEE-yah)

F-Swahili= smart, intelligent

Zimra/Zimora

H = branch, 2) song of praise

Zemira/Zemorah

H = a branch

Zia

H = to tremble

Zina

G = form of Zena, Xenia

Ziva/Zivah

H = bright, radiant

Ziynet

T = ornament

Zohar

H = shining, brilliant

Zubaydah

M = best part; cream

Zuhairah

M = blossom, radiant, shining

Zuhra/Zurah (zooh-rah)

A= Venus ( heavenly body)

Zulaikha/Zulaikhah (zoo-lai-ee-kah?)

M = so beautiful that people gape in wonderment. Biblical; woman who loved Joseph.

Zaleekhah (zoo-lee-kah)

M = same as Zulaikha

Zumarrad

M = emerald, precious stone

Last Modified: 28 April 1996