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". 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= Eygptian, F=African, G=Greek, H=Hebrew/Israeli, I=India, M=Muslim-generic, NA-Native American, P=Persian, R= Romany/Gypsy, T=Turkish

A

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, honorouble, 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 hansome

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, distinguised, 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, moreevident

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 perserveres

Dorian/dore/Doran

G = a gift

Duman

T = misty, smoky

Durriken

R-gypsy = fortunteller

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, atttribute 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 = favored

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 = neighbor

Jiri (jeer-ee)

F-Zimbabwe 1)forest of wild fruits. 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, generousity, 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, honorable, generaous

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 = siner; 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, forunate

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, counselor

Mushin/Muhshin (moo-shin)

M = benefactor, beneficient; one who conferes favors

Mustapha/Mustafa

M = chosen one, selected one

Muwakkil

M = one who can be trusted

N

Naaman

H = pleasant

Nabeeh

M = noble, distinquished, 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-Somailia = 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, honoroable, 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 color; lofty

Zafar (zah-far)

M = victory, triumph, name of a sahaabi

Zafeer (zah-feer)

M = of firm and resoulute 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

Last Modified: 28 April 1996