Name

As salamu 'alaykum My concern is about my niece's name. Her mother saw on the Internet the name "Samia", which means "noble". However, she named her daughter "Saamai", pronounced with the double "a" sound". Now, I looked this up in the Arabic dictionary, and saw that indeed, "Sami" means "noble", and Samia is derived from this word. However, "SAAmi" refers to the Semetic people, which usually means the Jewish or Hebrew peoples, just like ait-semetic means anti-Jewish. I figured that "SAAmia" is the feamle word for "Saami". Am I correct in thinking so? If not, please inform me what will the correct meaning of "SAAmia"  be? I need to know, so I can be sure before telling my sister-in-law. Jazaka Allahu Khayrun for your kind efforts.

Respected scholars, As-salamu `alaykum. I was wondering if it is important to have a Muslim name. I am Muslim and was born Muslim but my father left me with a European name. Jazakum Allahu khayran.

As-salam Alaikum. My fiancé is a convert and his first, middle and last names all are that of Hindu deities/idols. I understand that with an unIslamic name, one should change it to something that is of a better meaning without any shirk connotations. I have however read that one should generally keep their family name, since Islam places great emphasis on lineage and identifying children with their father's name, according to Surah Ahzab, Ayah 5. My question is whether this view is still true with regard to family names that have shirk connotations? Does he have to change his surname? Also is this to be done legally? I know that his family would be deeply hurt if he changed his name, much less his family name. Further this act will most likely also affect whether they would welcome me into their family. Please advise me about this matter. Please also provide proofs within the Quran and Sunna, as my parents are adamant he change his name and I need to be able to have sound proofs as to why or why not to help all family members reconcile this situation. I am sure you understand the ramifications of this decision and any assistance in this matter would be extremely helpful. JazakAllah khairan.

As salamu 'alaykum. Is the name Hadi Ahmed acceptable? Is Hadi Allah's name? Can we use Hadi without `abdul? Please correct me. It's urgent. Please pray for my new baby. Salam

Assalamu alaikum. Is the name "Abdul Muhsin" permitted in Islam? I was looking through "al asmaa'ul husna" and could not find "Al-Muhsin." If "Abdul Muhsin" is not a permissible name, then what should one who has already been given this name do?

Can you please tell me the meaning of the female name IZMA?

I was wondering if there is any ruling in Islam about the naming of pets? Is it alright to give your pet cat a human name? I never thought about it until someone questioned the human name I gave my new cat.

May you please let me know whether i can keep the name Jibreel if i have a son.  If i can not could you please indicate why?Many ThanksMrs Ali

AssalamalekumI would like to know whether its permissible to name a girl child after the name of a hoor of Al-jannah. I like the name 'Laaiba' very much which is the name of a hoor in Al-jannah and would like to name my daughter the same. Please revert at your earliest.Wassalam

As-Salamu `Alaykum, Sheikh. My wife delivered a baby a week ago. I want to name it. I have heard that I cannot give it the name of an angel like Gabriel (Jibril). Is this true? What does Islam say on this?

Dear scholars, my question relates to changing name, I mean, is it necessary for newly converts to Islam to change their names or they can keep their Christian or any previous names?

As salamu 'alaykum... Now that our baby daughter has safely entered into our lives, we are scratching our heads on selecting the most appropriate name.   I'd appreciate your input, hopefully a definitive one (compared to the feedback from my native Arabic speaker colleague):   1. As to the accuracy of the meaning of Maysa Hanin which we found from   Maysa -graceful Hanin - Longing, yearning, lovely. Please note that Maysa is spelt differently from Maysa'a ????? 2. Whether there is any negative connotation to the name Maysa Hanin; e.g. Is it commonly regarded as a Christian name? Appreciate early response as I have another 6 days remaining to register the name. Best regards