NAMES FOR DANCERS AND OTHER GRACEFUL SOULS

PT II: MEN


Updated 10/18/95 by kharding@lamar.colostate.edu. Permission granted to publish/distribute.

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
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