Guidance for Parents on Naming Children

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised, ‘Choose good and beautiful names for your children.’ It is thus unsurprising that he later changed names deemed inappropriate. As cited in the Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World, the emphasis on names likely stems from Muslims’ reverence for Allah’s names in the Quran. Typically, two-part names consist of a given name followed by a surname referencing the father, grandfather, or clan. In the Quran, Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 5, Allah commands Muslims to address adopted children by their father’s name: ‘Call them by their fathers’ names.’ This confirms the legitimacy of including a father’s name in one’s full name. Variations are rare due to Islamic inheritance laws tied to this rule, which requires official recognition under these guidelines. This applies to both sons and daughters; legally, daughters retain their father’s name even after marriage. Given the importance of identity, various names are chosen for a Muslim’s first name. Sunnis often select names such as Muhammad or the first three caliphs—Abu Bakar, Umar, and Uthman—while Shias prefer Ali or other key historical figures. Other commonly used names reflect Allah’s attributes. Parents adhering to this practice typically name their children with ‘Abd’ (meaning ‘servant of’) followed by one of Allah’s names, such as Abd ar-Rahman. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi addresses this matter in his book, Contemporary Fatwas.