ism · اسم◆Lexicon of names◆For the Middle East
ism·اسمThe bilingual book of baby names
ع
Volume One · 2026
NamesMeaningsCollectionsGiftsAboutShortlist
Thousands of names · a meaning and a root for each

The first word you give them.

A lexicon of baby names in Arabic and English — every one traced to the root it grows from.

Search names →Browse the names
From the book
نُور
Noor
/ noor /
Light — the kind that fills a room before you find the lamp.
Rootن · و · ر
Shares its root ن·و·ر with منارة, a lighthouse, and نار, fire.
From the book
مُحَمَّد
Mohammed
/ mu-ham-mad /
The much-praised — the name carried more than any other on earth.
Rootح · م · د
From ح·م·د, praise; the name of the Prophet, shared root with أحمد and حميد.
From the book
عُمَر
Omar
/ oh-mar /
Long-lived and flourishing — a life well built.
Rootع · م · ر
From ع·م·ر — the root of عُمر (a lifetime) and عِمارة (building).
From the book
عَلِيّ
Ali
/ a-lee /
High and exalted — lifted above the ordinary.
Rootع · ل · و
From ع·ل·و, height; al-Ali is a name of God, and Ali ibn Abi Talib carried it.
From the book
يُوسُف
Yusuf
/ yoo-suf /
The prophet of dreams — beauty, patience, and the long road back to family.
A prophet's name honoured in the Quran and carried in Arabic for generations — it grows from no Arabic root.
From the book
ليلى
Layla
/ lay-la /
Night — dusk, and the beloved of the old poems.
Rootل · ي · ل
From ل·ي·ل, night; the Layla of Majnun Layla gave the name its ache.
From the book
أَحْمَد
Ahmad
/ ah-mad /
Most praiseworthy — the one most deserving of thanks.
Rootح · م · د
From ح·م·د, praise; the superlative form, sharing its root with محمد.
From the book

Thousands of names, boys and girls, kept in one book — each with its meaning and the root it grows from, so the name you choose says exactly what you mean.

Browse the names

Naming is a family sport.

Gather the names you love into a shortlist, then send it round for a vote — partner, parents, the aunt with opinions. Let ism keep the score so it doesn't turn into an argument at dinner.

Build your shortlist →

The family ballot4 in the running

Noor Light — the kind that fills a room before you find the lamp.
★
Mohammed The much-praised — the name carried more than any other on earth.
Omar Long-lived and flourishing — a life well built.
Ali High and exalted — lifted above the ordinary.

The seasonal note

A few times a year: new names, a collection we loved, the odd story behind a root. No noise.

ism·اسمThe bilingual book of baby namesTikTok @ism.roots
NamesNamesMeaningsCollectionsLetters
ismGiftsPartner with usAboutShortlistPrivacyTerms
© 2026 ism · Volume One · made by hand in DubaiMeanings and roots are guides, gathered with care · EN · عربي