150 Arabic Last Names or Surnames & Their Meanings

Arabic is a centuries-old language, and its traditions and culture are just awe-inspiring. The culture and regional traditions have influenced people and their family names. Some people follow a habitational name as a surname, while some use their occupations as their last name. Whether you are browsing Arabic family names out of curiosity or are interested to learn what your family name means, you will most likely find it in this article. We compiled a list of extensive Arabic surnames and meanings from their popularity level to their commonality level and included them here. Here, we have a list of the 110 most common Arabic last names and their meanings.

Popular Arabic Last Names

Here are some of the most popular Middle Eastern last names:

1. Abbas

Abbas means “lion” in Arabic.

2. Abboud

Abboud is a commonly known Arabic surname, which means “devoted worshipper”. Muslims and Christian Arabs also use this last name.

3. Abd Al-Rashid

Abd Al-Rashid means “servant of the right-minded”.

4. Ahmad or Ahmed

This means “praised one” or sometimes “commendable”, and when used as a surname, can be “Al Ahmad” which is “the praised one”.

5. Ali

The Fourth Caliph in Islam was named Ali. This name is considered a strong family name. It means “champion”, “elevated”, “sublime” or “high”.

6. Baba

Baba is a diminutive of the Arabic word Abu, which means “father”.

7. Burhan

This name means “knowledgeable one”, which was also one of the qualities of Prophet Muhammed. Another meaning for the name is “one with proof”.

8. Cham

Cham is a habitational name for people from Damascus. It is also an Arabic name for Syria.

9. Ebeid

Also known as Ubayd, this name is one for the family who was devoted to God. It means “worshipper of God”.

10. Faheem

This surname is mentioned as Fahm in the Holy Quran, where it means “understanding”. This surname also means “intelligent” and “perspective”.

11. Faizan

The name means “ruler” or “the generous one”.

12. Farhat

Farhat is a surname that originates in Persia. It means “status” and “splendour”.

13. Farouq

It is believed that the surname Farouq is held by those whose ancestor is Umar ib’n al-Khattab. He was the fourth Caliph of Islam. The name means “one who differentiates right from wrong”.

14. Farsi

This is a Persian name and is held by those who originate from there. The name means “the Persian”.

15. Fasil

This surname means “the unique one”.

16. Ganem

Ganem is a Muslim name derived from the Arabic word Ghanem which means “prosperous” and “successful”. The name is also prevalent in Turkey.

17. Ghazali

This surname was very common amongst the mystics. It means “saint”, “philosopher”, or “mystic”.

18. Ghazawi/Ghazawwi

The surname originated with the people who came from Gaza in Palestine.

19. Hadad

Hadad in Arabic refers to “blacksmith”.

20. Hadi

This particular name is based on one of the names of the Islamic God, Allah. This name is Hidayah. It means “guide to righteousness”.

21. Hakim

This is a name that was given to those families who were physicians or doctors. The name means “the doctor” or “the healer”.

22. Hamdi

For those whose deeds were worthy of praise from Allah, the name Hamdi was given. It means “one who is worthy of praise”.

23. Hariri

Hariri means “silk”. It was given to those families who were in the trade or manufacturing business of silk.

24. Hashim

Originating from the great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammed, Hashim means “bread crusher”. The name means so because the great-grandfather is believed to have a habit of crushing bread before distributing it among the pilgrims.

25. Hatem or Hatim

The name means “determined” or “decisive”, and is a common surname in the Arab world.

26. Hijazi

This surname refers to those who originate from Hejaz, Saudi Arabia.

27. Hussein

Another grandson of Prophet Muhammed was named Hussein. The surname means “handsome”.

28. Irfan

The name means “one who is knowledgeable”. A few other meanings of this name include “constant learning” and “awareness”.

29. Jabal

The name Jabal is closely associated with mountains, and it means “great height”.

30. Jaber or Jabir

This name means “comforter”, and can also be used with the prefix in front to make it Al Jaber.

31. Jalal

This name has many wonderful meanings. It means “strength”, “power”, “might” “superiority” and “glory.” It is often used to describe Allah’s greatness in the Quran.

32. Kader

This surname was held by very capable families. The name itself means “capable”, “ambitious” and “powerful”.

33. Kazem

The name basically means “one who has control over anger”.

34. Laghmani

This surname is one that marks silence and peace. The meaning of the name is “born at nightfall”.

35. Maalouf

The name means “one who stands out”.

36. Maamoun

This surname was given to those who were known for being trustworthy and honest.

37. Mahmud

This is a very common Arab surname and was derived from the noble Muhammed.

38. Marwan

The name is derived from Marou, a stone used to start campfires in the olden days. The name denotes “strength” and “leadership”.

39. Mohammed or Muhammed

The name comes from the name of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammed. The name means “to be worthy of praise”.

40. Mufti

Referring to one who counsels or gives legal advice, this was a name that was given to families who indulged in this field of work.

41. Mughrabi

The name is given to those families who speak the language of the Arab-Berber tribes. This language is called Magrabi.

42. Nagi

Known for devotion to Allah, Muhammed was given this name. It means “the closest friend”.

43. Nahdi

The name means “strong tree” and is a popular surname in the middle east.

44. Najdi

This name refers to those who come from the Najd region in Arabia.

45. Najjar

Those with an ancestral line of carpenters often have the surname Al-Najjar. It means “the carpenter”.

46. Qasim

The name means “one who distributes”.

47. Quraishi

Quraishi is an Arabic variant of the name Qureshi. Qureshi comes from the name of a tribe Quraish, which was a renowned tribe in Mecca at the time of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

48. Qureshi

Those who are the descendants of those from the Quraish tribe in Makkah have this surname.

49. Rahim

This surname means “forgiving” or “merciful”.

50. Rajab

This last name means “respect”. It is also the name of the seventh month in the calendar.

51. Ramzan

The meaning of the surname is “to be alive”. It is also the name of the holy month in Islam.

52. Reza

The surname was given mostly to Muslims belonging to the Shia denomination. The meaning of the name is “approval of Allah”.

53. Saqqaf

The name means “one who is cleaver” or “intelligent”.

54. Sultan

This is the most common of the royal Arabic last names. It means “ruler”.

55. Syed

The meaning of the name is “lord” or “master”.

56. Toma

Toma is a modern-sounding Arabic last name derived from the Aramaic word Thomas which means “twin”.

57. Zeyad

This name has the meaning “abundance”, “generous” or “growth”.

Unique Arabic Surnames

This curated Arabic last names list highlights rare and distinctive family names that carry deep cultural roots and fascinating meanings. Each surname reflects a blend of history, heritage, and identity passed down through generations.

1. Abadi

Abadi means “eternal” and the Arabs who carry this surname today are the descendants of the Abbad tribe.

2. Amin

Meaning “faithful” or “trustworthy”, this Persian/Arab name is also connected with Prophet Muhammad from Islam.

3. Badawi

This Arab surname is most common amongst the Bedouin tribes, who were referred to as “desert dwellers”. Their ancestors were once nomads in the desert.

4. Barjas

The name Barjas is often linked with bravery, symbolizing a person of strong spirit and unshakable resolve.

5. Bazzi

The surname Bazzi originates from the Levant and is associated with skillful archery or precision in work.

6. Chammas

Chammas comes from a historical title meaning “deacon” or “church servant,” reflecting a family’s Christian clerical roots.

7. Dalloul

Dalloul conveys tenderness, meaning “pampered” or “beloved one,” often used for someone cherished in the family.

8. Darwish

This is another name that was given to those who lived nomadic lives. The name means “to explore”, “to roam”, or “to wander”.

9. Ebrahim

Ebrahim is the Arabic form of “Abraham,” meaning “father of many,” symbolizing leadership and guidance.

10. Fadel

This name means “someone gracious” as well as “virtue”.

11. Fakhouri

The surname Fakhouri traditionally refers to pottery making, meaning “potter,” and represents craftsmanship and artistry.

12. Gabbra

Ghabra is often translated as “desert land” or “arid soil,” hinting at a family’s connection to open landscapes.

13. Gaddafi

Originating from Libya, this surname means “the thrower” or “the archer”. It was first used by the Libyan tribe, Qadhadhfa.

14. Ghanayem

Ghanayem means “spoils” or “riches,” suggesting prosperity, victory, and abundance.

15. Ghulam

This name was common amongst those who were devoted to God. It means “young servant of God”.

16. Haddadin

Haddadin is a trade-based name meaning “blacksmith,” symbolizing strength, resilience, and skilled work with metal.

17. Hafeez

This Arab surname means “the protector” or the “guardian”.

18. Hroub

The surname Hroub means “wars” or “conflicts” and is tied to families known for warriors or historical battles.

19. Ibn Sina

Ibn Sina literally means “son of Sina” and is famously associated with the great Persian polymath Avicenna, signifying wisdom and scholarship.

20. Iqbal

A very common name that means “strong one” in the Arabic language. There are many scholars, politicians and other intellectuals who share this name.

21. Issa

Issa is the Arabic form of “Jesus,” symbolizing piety, peace, and compassion.

22. Jarrar

Jarrar is a title meaning “potter” or “puller,” possibly denoting merchants or those in transportation trades.

23. Jaziri

This surname means “independence” or “self-confidence”.

24. Jubran

Jubran means “to restore” or “to repair,” and is also well known through poet Kahlil Gibran.

25. Kamal

Kamal signifies “perfection” or “excellence,” representing someone of complete character or skill.

26. Karim

Held by Arab nobility, the name means “noble” and is one of Allah’s 99 names.

27. Khayyat

Khayyat is a profession-based surname meaning “tailor,” associated with precision and creativity in clothing.

28. Laham

Laham means “meat” or “butcher,” denoting families in the meat trade or food provision.

29. Lutfi

Lutfi means “kind” or “gentle,” reflecting graciousness and refined manners.

30. Mikdadi

Mikdadi likely derives from the name “Miqdad,” an early companion of Prophet Muhammad, symbolizing loyalty.

31. Nuseibeh

Nuseibeh is a historic family name from Jerusalem, tied to nobility and guardianship of holy sites.

32. Qadir

This surname means “capable”, “competent” and “powerful”.

33. Qasem

Qasem means “one who divides” or “distributes,” often linked to fairness and generosity.

34. Qudsi

Qudsi signifies “holy” or “from Jerusalem,” reflecting deep spiritual and geographic roots.

35. Razzouk

Razzouk comes from “rizq” meaning “provision,” denoting being blessed with sustenance and livelihood.

36. Rashid

The surname means “truth” or “one who points in the right direction”.

37. Rishmawi

Rishmawi refers to origins from Rishma, highlighting a family’s geographic identity.

38. Sahyouni

Sahyouni means “from Zion” or historically “Zionist,” indicating ties to the ancient region of Jerusalem.

39. Tahan

Tahan means “miller,” referring to those who ground grain, a key community trade.

40. Taleb

This name has the meaning “devoted student” and “one who seeks knowledge”.

41. Ulayyan

Ulayyan denotes “lofty” or “high-ranking,” describing someone of noble stature or elevated status.

42. Wahbeh

Wahbeh comes from “wahba,” meaning “gift” or “donation,” symbolizing generosity and blessing.

43. Yaghmour

Yaghmour is a less common surname often meaning “swift” or “nimble,” possibly tied to movement or trade.

44. Yusuf

Said to be a variation of Joseph, it means “God will increase”.

45. Zarif

Zarif means “charming” or “graceful,” often describing someone witty and pleasant in character.

Common Arabic Last Names

Arabian surnames carry deep cultural roots, reflecting family heritage, tribal lineage, and historical professions. Many of these names tell stories of honor, faith, and identity passed down through generations.

1. Abdallah

It means “Servant of God” and is considered to be a revered name. “Allah” is the name of the God of Islam, while “Abd” is the word for servant.

2. Abdullah

The surname Abdullah means “servant of Allah,” showing deep devotion and humility toward God.

3. Ahmed

Ahmed is a surname that means “highly praised” or “one who constantly thanks God,” often linked with honor and good character.

4. Ayad

Ayad is a strong surname that means “blessings” and “power”.

5. Aziz

Meaning “the dearest one”, you can sometimes find this surname with the prefix “Al”, making it Al Aziz. The name was often given to those who were servants of God.

6. Baghdadi

The name means “Bestowed by God”. It is a beautiful family name that was taken by those devout to God. It finds its origins in Baghdad, Iraq.

7. Bakir

Also used with the prefix Al, Bakir is known to mean “early” or “dawn” or “early in the morning”.

8. Bashar

This name means “one who brings glad tidings” and could have originated with messengers.

9. Bilal

Meaning “the victorious one”, Bilal is a well-known family name. It also means “flow of water”.

10. Dawoud

Commonly known as the Arabic version of the name David, this name means “a beloved friend”.

11. Essa

Essa is a variant of the Arabic name Issa which basically is the Arabic form of Hebrew Yeshua or Jesus in Greek.

12. Faez

This surname means “victory”.

13. Fakhoury

The name Fakhoury is derived from the name Fakhri, which means “proud” or “something associated with a noble cause”.

14. Fasih

Often used with Al, Al-Fasih means “the eloquent one”.

15. Habib

Meaning “beloved”, this name is usually used as a title of honour as well as a surname.

16. Hadid

An Arab name that means “iron”, it is sometimes used with the prefix, Al.

17. Hasan

The name means “beautiful” and “to be good”. One of the grandsons of Prophet Mohammed was named Hasan. The name can be written with the prefix “Al,” making the name Al-Hasan.

18. Hassan

Hassan is an Arabic last name meaning “handsome” or “good,” symbolizing beauty, virtue, and moral excellence.

19. Ibrahim

This is the name given to Abraham in the Quran. It means “the exalted father”.

20. Isa

Isa was considered to be a prophet in Islam. Isa is said to mean “iron” or “ice”.

21. Ismat

This name is one that has many meanings. Variations of the meaning include “the flawless one”, “the chaste one”, “the pure one”, and “the innocent one”.

22. Issawi

The name means “gentle”, “soft” and “tender”.

23. Jameel

The meaning of Jameel are variants of good looking. “Beautiful” and “handsome” are common meanings of this name.

24. Jawahir

This surname often refers to “Jewellery” or other forms of precious stones and precious metals. The name also means “gold”.

25. Kanaan

Kanaan is a prominent Arabic surname referring to the land of Canaan in the Bible.

26. Kashif

This is a surname that signifies those who are observant and adventurous. The name means “one who discovers” and “pioneer”.

27. Kassab

This name means “bread-winner”.

28. Khalid

This surname means “eternal”.

29. Khalil

Khalil means “close friend” or “beloved companion,” representing loyalty, trust, and treasured relationships.

30. Mahmoud

The surname Mahmoud translates to “praised” or “commendable,” reflecting honor and a respected reputation.

31. Mohammed

Mohammed means “praised one” or “worthy of praise” and holds great significance due to its association with the Prophet Muhammad.

32. Mustafa

This is another noble surname that was derived from the Prophet of Islam, Muhammed. The meaning of the name is “the chosen one”.

33. Nabih

This honourable name means “to be aware” and “vigilant”.

34. Nader

This surname means “unique”, “extraordinary”, “rare” and “exceptional”.

35. Nasser

The meaning of this surname is “victory”.

36. Noor

The name means “divine” and sometimes also “light”. It is a common surname given to families who are deeply devoted to God.

37. Omar

Omar is a surname meaning “flourishing” or “long-lived,” representing prosperity, vitality, and growth.

38. Osman

This surname is quite a common one in the Arab world. It means “servant devoted to God”.

39. Rafiq

This surname means “follower of God”.

40. Ramzi

This last name means “quiet” or “sign” that is given by God.

41. Sader

The meaning of this last name in Arabic is “broad-chested” or “courage”.

42. Salem

The Arabic surname Salem means “peaceful” or “safe,” symbolizing harmony, protection, and tranquility.

43. Shariq

The meaning of this name is “devoted companion” and “bright shining star”.

44. Tawfiq

The meaning of this name is “chance” or “opportunity”.

45. Wahed

The number one in Arabic is Wahed. It also has the meaning “the only one”.

46. Yasin

The meaning of this name is “richness”, and it is also the name of a chapter in the Quran.

47. Youssef

Youssef is the Arabic form of Joseph, meaning “God increases” or “God will add,” often linked to blessings and abundance.

48. Zayed

Zayed means “growth” or “abundance,” conveying generosity, prosperity, and continuous increase.

FAQs

1. What is the significance behind the popular suffix ‘bin’ in Arabic surnames?

Bin signifies a patronym, which means ‘son of.’ ‘Ibn’ is a version of bin, which is also very popular in Islam. For instance, Rahman ibn Abdul Qureshy, which implies Rahman, son of Abdul Qureshy.

2. How are Arabic surnames passed down the generations?

Arabic last names are traditionally passed down through the male line. Sons inherit their father’s family name, while daughters carry it until marriage, after which they may adopt their husband’s name.

3. What is the significance behind Arabic family names starting with Al?

In Arabic, “Al” means “the” and serves as a prefix to indicate a connection to a place, tribe, or family. Many common Arabic last names starting with “Al” originally signified a person’s belonging to a specific group or region.

4. How different and unique are Arabic last names from Western last names?

Unlike Western last names, Arab surnames often follow a patronymic system, deriving from the father’s name. They may also reflect geographic or tribal origins and include titles like “Al” to signify lineage

Also Read:

Turkish Last Names or Surnames
Persian Last Names or Surnames
Strong and Powerful Last Names or Surnames
Indian Surnames or Last Names with Meanings

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