Muslim names/arabic names

i want to add, that there are muslims with a non-arab and non muslim names, like Susan, Diana,(in jordan and egypt) and melissa, lynda , lilia etc...in north africa

 

Btw, many muslims, though they like to keep Arabic names, will also have other names in thier local-language, and as long as the meaning is something in accordance with Islam . . .It is considered completely Islamic. There is no such Injuction in Islam to name kids Aisha, Muhammad etc. If people do so, it is purely out of love for the Prophet and his companions. . . and hope that thier kid will also grow up to be like thier namesake.

 

Also, the Prophet did not make changing the name a requirement for converts. They kept thier pre-islamic name, as long as it did not have an unsuitable meaning. E.g some were named after idols, e.g 'Slave of Laat' or 'Slave of Uzza' . . . Only then would the Prophet ask them to change thier names. Even then, the surname was always kept intact to preserve the person's identity. Which is why even today, Converts who have Islamic Knowledge retain thier surnames, and sometimes even first names e.g AbdurRahim Green , Yusuf Estes , Dawud Wharnsby , Yvonne Ridley. All these are famous converts. Its even ok to continue to be David, Joseph, Ishmael, since only the pronounciation is different . . . essentially the name is referring to the Prophets.

 

In my countries, many pious muslims have completely local names, unarabic . .  . yet the names are very islamic e.g Pakeeza (means Pure) , . . Arabic does not have the letter/pronounciation "P". . .