NAMES FOR DANCERS AND OTHER GRACEFUL SOULS ...

PT I: WOMEN'S NAMES


Updated 10/11/95 by kharding@lamar.colostate.edu. Permission granted to publish/distribute.

Most eastern languages do not insert the vowels, therefore in transliterations "ee" and i" are negotiable. Likewise endings of "a" and "ah". If you do not find your name as a woman's name, try looking under men's name with an ending variation. Inclusion of names does not necessarily indicate acceptability as dancer names, but every attempt was made to find appropriate ones. Those which seemed to be purely religious were omitted.

Language codes used: A=Arabic, B=Biblical, E= Eygptian, F=African, G= Greek, H=Hebrew/Israeli, I=India, M=Muslim-generic, NA-Native American, P=Persian, R= Romany/Gypsy, T=Turkish


A

Aaminah (ah-MEE-nah)
M = lady of peace and harmony
Aanisah/Anisa (ah-NEE-sah)
M = pious-hearted lady; good-natured
Aasiyah (ah-SEE-yah)
M = 1) mansion with good foundation, 2) queen with a powerful dynasty
Abda
M = slave girl, espc. A black slave girl
Adena (ah-dee-nah)
G, H Noble, adorned (form of Adriana)
Adilah
M = "one who deals justly"
Adira
H = mighty/strong
Adrienne/Adrea/Daria
French ver. Of Greek "girl from adira"
Afsana (ahf-SAH-nah)
P= tale/story
Ahava (ah-hah-vah)
H =beloved
Aisha - (ah-EE-shah)
F-Swahili/A = 1) life, alive, 2) Muhammed's chief wife
Alena
H = russian form of Helen
Alika (ah-lee-kah)
F-swahili = most beautiful
Almas (ahl-mas)
M-diamond
Amara (ahm-AHR-ah)
F- 1) Abyssinian legend= "paradise", 2) Kiswahili= urgent news 3) G = eternally beautiful
Ameenah/Amina (ah-MEE-nah)
M = Trustworthy; faithful, honest; trustful, honest, 2) Mohammed's mother
Amira
M = princess, ruler, H = speech, words
Anadil (an-nah-dil)
A-nightingales
Andalee
M = nightingale
Aneesh (ah-neesh)
M = companion, affectionate friend; name of a sahaabi
Annakiya (ah-nah-KEE-yah)
F- Housa= Sweet face
Anjum (ahn-joom)
M = plural of najm. Stars
Anthea
G = flowery
Aquilah
M = intelligent
Arda/Ardah
H = bronzed, also the month of "Adar" (Feb-March)
Arella (ah-rehl-lah)
H = angel, messenger
Ariel/ariela/Ariella/Ariel
H = lioness of God
Ashaki (ah-SHAH-kee)
F- W. African= beautiful
Ashia (ash-EE-uh)
F- Somali=Mohammed's favorite wife
Ashira
H = wealthy
Asma
M = beautiful
Atira/Aatira (ah-teer-ah)
M = of good fragrance; connoisseur of fragrances
Atiya
M = gift, present
Aviva
H = spring
Avivit
H = lilac
Ayana (ah-HAYN-ah)
F-Ethiopian= beautiful flower
Aymelek (aay-meh-lek)
T= moon angel
Ayperi (aay-peh-ree)
T= moon fairy
Aysel
T = moonlike
Azah
H = strong, bright
Azima/Azeemah (uh-Zee-mah)
M = great, dignified
Aziza/Azeezah (ah-ZEE-zuh)
A, F-Kiswahili= precious, Somali=gorgeous, H= strong M = dear, respected, esteemed; precous, rare, powerful
Azhar (ahz-hahr)
A=Flowers

B

Bahijah
M = joyful, delightful, happy
Bahirah
M = brilliant, splendid
Basheera
M = good news
Basimah
M = smiling one
Benazir (bee-nah-zeer)
P= "the like of whom was never seen"
Bilquees
M = Queen of Sheba (biblical)
Binnaz (BEE-naz)
T= "a thousand blandishments", i.e. charming

C

Caasi
H = Jewish variant of Catherine or Cassandra
Callista/Kallista
G = most beautiful
Candace/Candide
G = white-hot fire, incandescent
Carissa/Karissa
G = beloved
Celina/Celeste
Jewish = from the latin "Heavenly"
Charis (char-is)
G = grace, kindess
Charo
H = form of Caroline
Civia/Tzevi
H = a deer
Coral
G = the precious stone coral
Crystal/Chrystal
G = clear, brilliant gleam

D

Daima
T = always
Dalia
H = 1)a branch, 2) to draw water
Dana
Latin = bright as day, H = to judge
Daphne
G = laurel or bay tree
Dara/Dahra
H = compassionate
Daria
G = feminine form of Dairus (G = wealthy)
Daya/Dayeah
H = a bird
Defne
T = laurel
Deka (DEH-ka)
F-Somali= one who pleases
Delia
Latin = an inhabitant of Delow, birthplace of Artemis & Apollo
Delila/Delilah
H = 1) poor, 2) hair
Dena/Dinah
H = judgement
Deniz
T = sea
Devra
H = var. Form of Deborah , 2) a bee
Dilber
T = beautiful, attractive
Dilek
T = wish, desire
Dilshad (deel-shad)
P= "of happy heart"
Dincer
T = lively, brisk
Dione/Dionne
G = form of latin name "Diana"
Ditza/Ditzah
H = joy
Dolunay
T = full moon
Duha
M = forenoon
Dunya (duhn-yah)
M= world; T (Dnya)
Durrdana (door-DAH-nah)
P= pearl or Durrah M = pearl
Durrishahwar
M = royal pearl
Durriyyah
M = brilliant, glittering

E

Ebediyet
T = eternity
Ebru
T = marbling (as on paper decoration)
Edibe
T = writer
Electra
G = the shining one
Elmas
T = diamond
Emel
T = ambition
Emine
T = confident
Eris
T (no special meaning)
Esma/Esmer
T = brunette
Eshe (AY-shay)
F-Swahili = life
Etana
H = strong
Eve also Ive (EEV-ah)
F-Kiswahili= to ripen, also Chava (hah-vah) H=life
Evona
H = var. Form of Yvonne or Evonne

F

Faaria
M = tall, pretty
Faghira
M = Jamine flower
Farhannah (fahr-HAH-nah)
M = glad, joyful
Fahima
M =intelligent, disarming
Farah
M =joy, cheerful
Farida/Fareeda (fah-ree-dah)
P= incomparable beauty, M= unique, singular, precous
Fatima/Faatimah (FAH-tee-mah)
M = "baby girl who is weaned", wife of Ali
Fatin
M = fascinating, charming
Fikriyyah
M = meditative
Filiz
T = bud, sprout
Firuze
T = turquoise

G

Gabi
H = pet form of Gabriela, "God is my strength", name of an angel
Galiah
H = wave
Geela (gee-lah)
H = joyful (fem. form of Gil)
Ghazala/Ghazaalah (ghah-zah-lah)
P= gazelle, i.e. graceful; the sun
Gia
Jewish = pet form of Regina, "queen"
Gulbadan (GOOL-bah-dan)
P= rose-body
Gulbahar (GOOL-ba-haar)
T= rose spring
Gulbarg (GOOL-bargh)
P= rose-petal
Guldali (GOOL-dah-lee)
T= rose twig
Gulfiliz (GOOL-feh-leez)
T= rose sprout
Gulgzel
T = Rose-beauty
Gul-i rana (GOOL-ee-rahna)
P= lovely rose
Gulnar
M = Pomegranate flower
Gulperi (GOOL-peh-ree)
T= rose fairy
Gulrang (GOOL-rahng)
P= rose-coloured
Gulrukh (GOOL-rookh), also Gulru, Gul'adhar
P= rose face
Guls/Gls
T = laugh
Gulseren (GOOL-seh-ren)
T= spreading roses
Gulshan (GOOL-shan), Gulistan (GOOL-ees-tan)
P= rose garden

H

Habibah
M = darling, beloved
Hadara/Hadarah (hah-dah-rah)
H = adorned with beauty, splendid
Hadassah (hah-das-sah)
H = myrtle tree, symbol of victory
Hadiyah
M = gift, valuable person
Hafiza
T = memory
Hafsa
M = cub, young lioness
Halima/Haleemah (hah-LEE-mah)
M = lady of patience and perserverance
Hana
M = happiness, peace of mind
Hanifah
M = true, upright
Hanife
T = lady
Huraiva
M = kitten
Harika
T = marvelous, wonderful
Huriye
P = "like a Houri", i.e. maiden of paradise
Hasina/Hasseenah (hah-SEE-nah)
F-Swahili= good, M = beautiful lady w/attractive face
Hayal
T = dream
Hazine
T = treasure
Hilal
T = crescent
Hulya/Hlya
T = daydream

I

Ilanah
H = tree
Ihsan
M = charity
Inas
M = well-mannered
Inci
T = pearl
Iona
G = purple colored jewel
Ipek
T = silk
Iris
T = iris flower

J

Jael
H =1) mountain goat, 2) to descend
Jahan (jah-HAN)
P= world, Jahanara P= world adorning
Jale (jah-leh)
P= dew-drop
Jalilah
M = great, exalted
Jamila/Jameelah (jah-MEE-lah)
M= beautiful, elegant
Jannah/Jannat
M = heaven, garden
Jemina (jeh-meen-ah)
H = dove. Also Jonina, Jonita.
Jessenia
A = flower
Jini (JEE-nee)
F=Kiswahili= a genie
Johari (joh-HAHR-ee)
F=Kiswahili= jewel
Jumanah
M = pearl
Jwahir (jeh-WAH-hair)
F-Somali= golden woman
Jawahir (jah-WAH-hair)/Jawharrah, also Jauhar/Gauhar
M= jewels

K

Kadife
T = velvet
Kadri/Kadriya
T = Kader/destiny
Kanwal
M = water lily
Kaela (kay-ehl-lah)
A, H short form of Kalila, Kelila
Kahina (kah-HEE-nah)
F-Berber leader, prophetess and warrior princess. Died in Tunisia AD.703
Kahire (kah-heer-eh)
T = city of Cairo
Kala/Cala
A = fortress, castle, also listed as a Buddhist saint's name (if pronounced cha-lah)
Kardelen
T = snowdrop (flower)
Kartane
T = snowflake
Kasia/Kassia
Jewish/Polish = form of Catherine
Kayra
T (no special meaning)
Kelia/Kayla
H = crown, laurel
Khalida
M = immortal; surviving/alive
Khawala
M = servant, dancer
Kamila/Kaamilah (kah-MEE-lah)
M = complete, perfect
Kamaria (kah-mah-REE-ah)
F-Swahili, Somali= like the moon
Kamra (kam-rah)
M=Moon
Karima/Kareemah (kah-ree-mah)
M = generous lady, bountiful; something invaluable
Khadija OR Kadija (kah-dee-YAH)
M= Mohammed's first wife, means "born prematurely"
Kirvi (keer-VEE)
R-Am Gypsy = godmother
Kralice
T = queen

L

Lale
T = tulip
Larisa/Larissa
Latin = cheerful
Lateefah/Latifa (lah-TEE-fah)
F-N. Africa= pleasant, gentle, good humor
Layla / Leyli
F=Swahili (ligh-LAH) A/P = (Leh-lah) Famous beauty in Leyla & Majnun, 2) night. Also Leilah (leh-lah) P= having dark hair
Leda
G = mythology, a spartan queen, mother of Helen of Troy
Leorah
H = light to me
Levana (leh-vahn-ah)
H = moon
Levona
H = spice, incense, usually white in color
Leylak
T = lilac
Lina/Liynaa
M = tender
Lubina
M = flexible
LuuLuu
M = Jewel-like, pearl

M

Mahaila
Indian 1) var form of Arabic "Mahala", i.e. "Fat, bone or marrow", 2) also var. Form of Mahola H = dance
Mahasin
M = "how beautiful"
Mahin (mah-HEEN)
P= related to the moon
Mahirimah (mah-heer-eh-mah)
P= Sun-Moon, i.e. very beautiful
Mahliqa (mah-lee-kah)
P, Mehlika (meh-lee-kah) T, = moonlike
Mahsati (mah-SAH-tee)
P= moon lady
Mahasti (mah-HAS-tee)
P= "You are a moon"
Mahira (mah-heer-ah)
H = energetic
Mahtab (mah-taab)
P= moonlight
Maia
G = mythology: daughter of Atlas, Mother of Hermes
Majidah
M = powerful, noble
Manolya
T = magnolia
Malha
H = queen
Marika
Jewish = Slavic form of Mary
Marilla
H = form of "Mary"
Marinna/Marina/Rina/Marna/Marisa
Jewish = from the Latin "marius" the sea
Marjanna
P = coral
Marjani (mahr-JAH-nee)
F-Swahili= coral, Kiswahili=red coral
Maisha (mah-EE-shah)
F-Kiswahili= life
Malaika (mah-LAH-EE-kah)
F-Kiswahili= Angel
Malkia (MAHL-kee-yah)
F-Kiswahili= Queen, also H- Malka (mal-kah), M-Malika
Manishie
R-Scot/Eng Gypsy = woman, wife
Manzuma
E = poem or song
Mariyah (maar-ee-YAH)
M = lady with fair complexion
Maryam (maar-ee-yam)/Maryum
M = famous lady- mother of Sayyidona Esaa
Mavis
T = blonde
Mazana
H = an invented name from the Hebrew word for amazing
Mehira
H = from "mahir", speedy or energetic
Mehtap
T = moonlight
Melanie
G = "from "Melas", i.e. black
Melani
T (no special meaning)
Melek/Melik
T = angel (see also Malika)
Melina
G = "melos" a song
Melissa
G = a bee, from "meli" honey
Meltem
T = breeze
Menekse
T = violet (flower)
Mercan
T = coral
Merhamet
T = mercy
Merla/Merle
From Latin/French = a bird
Mersin
T = myrtle
Meryem
T = form of Maryam/Miriam
Mia/Michaela
H = "who is like God?"
Milena
from old High German/Jewish = "milo" mild, peaceful
Mine (mee-neh)
T = enamel
Minnetar
T = grateful
Minnet
T = gratitude
Mirit
H = sweet wine
Meira (meh-eh-rah)
H = light, connotation of sharing one's light with others
Melantha
G = dark flower
Melita
G = honey bee (form of "Melissa)
Meral (meh-rahl)
T= gazelle
Mira/Mirra
= short form of Miriam/Miranda, Latin = "strong, wonderful"
Mirella/Mirabella
Latin = of great geauty
Miriam (MAR-ee-um)
M, F-Ethiopian= the biblical "Mary"
Moira/Moriae
G = mythology "goddess of destiny/fate"
Molara
- Basque, form of "Mary"
Morgan
Welsh = sea dweller
Moyna
Celtic = gentle, soft
Muneerah (moo-neer-ah)
M = brilliant, shining, something that reflects light
Musherrah
M = counselor
Mushtaree
M = Jupiter, planet

N

Naadirah/Nadira (nah-DEER-ah)
M = rare, choice, precious, fem. Of "nadir", lowest point in English
Naia/Naiad
G = to flow/i.e. water
Nalani
Hawaiian = calmness of the heavens
Nawaar
M = blossom, flower
Nabila/Nabeelah (nah-BEE-lah)
M-Egyptian= Noble
Nadhirrah (nahd-heer-ah)
M = bright face with lustre & noor; healthy & happy
Nadima (nah-DEE-mah)
M = companion, friend
Nadhiyah
M = lively, pretty
Nafeesah (nah-fee-sah)
M = refined, pure, exquisite
Nageena
M = gem, pearl
Nahid
P = name for Venus, goddess of love in mythology
Na'ilah
M = one who obtains favor
Nagmah (nag-mah)
M = melody, song
Na'imah
M = blessing, happiness
Najah
M = safe, rescued, delivered
Najibah
M = high-born, excellent
Najida/Naajidah (nah-jee-dah)
M = courageous; one who accomp. difficult tasks
Najiyyah
M = friendly, affectionate
Najla
M = "has beautiful, wide eyes"
Naranj (nah-ranj)
P= orange/citrus fruit
Naja (HAH-jah)
M, F-Somalia= success
Najma/Najmah (NAJ-mah)
A= Star
Nane (nah-neh)
T = mint
Nara
Celtic = happy
Nargis
M = Narcissis Flower
Narin
T = delicate
Naseelah (nah-SEE-lah)
M = zephry; fragrant or cool breeze
Nasirah (nah-seer-ah?)
M = helper; aide, assistant
Nasreen (nahs-REEN)
M = white rose, jerico rose; joniquil
Nasya
H = miracle
Nava/Navit
H = beautiful
Nayer
P/Jewish = sunshine
Nazima
M = poetess, matron
Nazirah
M = leader, vanguard
Nazmiye
T = poem (nazim)
Navah
H = beautiful
Nayyirah
M = luminous, shining, brilliant
Nawal (nah-WAHL)
M, F-N. Africa= gift, attainment
Najlah
M = delicate feminine
Nazli (nahz-lee) or Nazi (nah-zee)
P= coquettish
Neelam
M = blue gem, precious stone
Nefes
T = breath
Nefsi/Nefis
T = wonderful
Nehan/Neslihan
T = happy lady
Nehayat
T = end, final
Neimah
H = pleasant
Nelofar
M = lotus, water lily
Nena
M = motherly
Nergis
T = daffodil
Nerita
G = sea snail
Nese
T = joy
Nila/Nyla
Egyptian = An ancient Egyptian princess/ the river Nile/Egyptian
Nilfer
T = water lilly/lotus
Nissa/Nyssa (NEE-sah)
H = sign, emblem G = beginning
Nisaa (nee-SAH)
M = women; "she that makes men forget"
Nitzah/Nizah
H = flower bud
Noelani
Hawaiian = a princess, means "beautiful one from heaven"
Nuha
M = wisdom, prudence
Nura
M = flower, blossom
Nuray
T = moonlight
Nureen
A/Jewish = light
Nurhan
T = bright lady
Nysa/Nyssa
G = the goal

O

Odella/Odele
G = melody/song
Ofra (OH-frah)
F-Mandinka= moon, H = kid or young goat
Ohelah
H = tent
Orah/Ora
H = light
Oralee
H = my light
Oriana/Oria
Jewish/ Latin = "oriens" meaning orient or the East
Orial
Old French/Latin = gold
Orli
H = "light is mine"
Ornah
H = pine

P

Parijan (par-ee-jahn)
P= fair soul
Parikhan (par-ee-khan)
P= fairy queen
Parvaneh/Parvane (pahr-van-EH)/Parvana
P = butterfly, T = night moth (regular butterfly is Kelebek)
Parvin (par-veen)
P= cluster of stars, Pleiades
Pazia/Paz
H = golden
Penda (PEHN-dah)
F-Swahili= beloved, Kiswahili= "to love"
Peninah
H = Pearl or coral
Perizad (per-ee-ZAHD) also Perizada,
P=born of the fairies
Phedre
G = "the shining one"
Phemia
G = voice, speech
Phila
G = love
Philana
G = lover of mankind
Pinar
T = fountain, spring
Pisliskurja
R-Bosnian gypsy = "darling"

Q

Qamar (kah-mahr)/Qamarah
M = the moon

R

Rabie
T = goddess
Rabiyah
M = garden, spring
Rafiqa
M = sweetheart, companion
Rafiyyah
M = high, lifting up
Rahibe
T = nun
Rajaa
M = hope
Rakhshanda
M = shining, brilliant
Ranaa
M = to look
Ra'naa (RAH-uh-nah?)
M = lovely, beautiful, graceful, delicate
Radhiya (rahd-HEE-yah)
M F-Swahili= agreeable, contented
Radhiyyah (rahd-hee-YAH)
M = pleased, contented, delighted
Ra'eesah (rah-EE-sah)
M = leader, princess, noble, a wealthy lady
Rafiqa
M = sweetheart, companion
Raheemah (rahd-HEE-mah)
M = kind, affectionate
Raihaanah (ra-ee-HAH-nah)
M = bouquet of flowers, sweet-smelling flower
Raisa/Raissa/Raizel/Rayzel/Razil
Jewish-Yiddish = rose
Rajeeyah
M = hoping, full of hope
Rakhshanda
M = shining, brilliant
Ramah
H = high
Ramla (rahm-lah)
F-Swahili= fortuneteller or prophet
Rana (rah-nah)
F-Kiswahili= happiness, rest
Rananah
H = fresh
Rani/Rane
H = my joy
Rashida
M = intelligent
Rashieka/Rashiqa (ruh-SHIH-kah)
A = descended from Royalty
Raushanah/Roshannah
M = skylight, bright
Rawnie
R-Gypsy = fine lady, i.e. non-gypsy
Rawiyah
M = narrator, storyteller
Rayah/Raya
H = friend
Rayyah
M = aroma, fragrance
Razi
A = my secret
Raziya (rah-ZEE-yah)
F-Swahili= sweet, agreeable
Rehena (reh-HAY-nah)
F-Swahili= compassion, Kiswahili= mercy
Renana
H = joy, song
Reshmaan
M = silky, of silk
Riesa
H = form of Thesesa
Rimona/ Rominah
H = pomegranate
Rina/Reena/Rinnah/Roni/ronit
H = song, joy
Rishona
H = first
Roni
H = my joy
Rukshana (Rook-SHAH-nah)
Russian variation of Roxanne, Sulieman's wife.
Rya
T = dream

S

Saahirah/Sahira (sah-HEER-ah)
M = earth, moon, spring which flows constantly
Saar-rah (sahr-RAH ) not "sarah"
M = lady who charming manner brings joy
Saba (SAH-bah)
F-Kiswahili= the # 7, pron . (sah-BAH) M=morning
Sabba
M = eastern wind, zephr
Sabbirah
M = patient, enduring
Sabeehah (sah-BEE-hah)
M = beautiful, handsome; lady w/fair complexion
Sabina/Savine/Savina
Latin "of the Sabines", an ancient tribe
Sabra
H = thorny cactus, 2) those born in modern Israel
Sabreen
M = patient
Sadiqah
M = truthful, sincere
Sadira
P = lotus tree
Sadiya/Sadya/Sa'diyya
A = lucky, good fortune
Sagheerah (sag-HEER-ah)
M = small, slender; tender
Sa'diyah (SAH-dee-yah?)
M = good fortune, happiness, blessed
Safi (sah-fee)/Safaa/Saffiyah
M, F-Kiswahili= clean, pure
Safira/Saphira/Sephira
H = form of sapphire
Sakinah
M = tranquility, calmness
Salihah
M = virtuous, upright
Salima/Saleemah (sah-LEE-mah)
M= safe from harm; mild, healthy, without defect
Salena/Salina
Latin = soft
Samaah
M = generousity
Samara
Latin = seed of the elm
Samia (sah-MEE-ah)
M= noble, lofty
Samina (sah-MEEN-ah)
M = healthy girl; fertile land without rock and stone; also fatty, or plump
Samira/Sameerah (sah-MEER-ah)
M = one who narrates stories in the night/ story teller/entertainer
Samiyah
M = elevated, lofty
Sanobar
M = pine tree
Sara
T = epilepsy; H = (Sarai/Sarah/Saretta/Sarina) = princess, noble
Sarafina (sehr-uh-FEE-nah)
H= ardent, like the angel who protects god's throne
Saree/Sarita
H = form of Sarah
Sauda
M = "black"
Sefa
T = pleasure
Segulah
H = treasure
Seher
T = dawn
Selma
T (no special meaning)
Selvi
T = cypress
Serap
T = mirage
Sevda
T = love, passion
Sevgi
T = love
Sevgili
T = darling
Sevinc
T = joy, delight
Seyyal
T = traveller
Sezen
T = feeling, suspicion
Shabanna
M = belonging to night, 2) young lady
Shabibah
M = youthful
Shabnam
M = dew
Shadiyah
M = singer
Shaheena
M = falconess
Shana/Shaina (SHAY-nah)
Yiddish = beautiful
Sheena
= Gaelic form of Jane
Shariykah
M = companion, partner
Selena/Celena
G = moon, like Selene the moon gooddess
Selima (seh-LEE-mah)
M, H= Peace
Shaia
R-Basque Gypsy = sister, also "tchaia"= young girl
Shaina/Shayna
H-Yiddish = beautiful
Shakarnaz (shah-kar-nahz)
P= sugar
Shakeelah (shah-KEE-lah)
M = comely, beautiful, well-formed, well-shaped
Shakira/Shaakirah (shah-KEER-ah)
M = grateful, contented
Shakufa (shah-KOO-fah)
P=opening bud
Shala/shahlaa (shah-LAH)
M = having grey eyes w/shade of red; species of Nacissis flower; also Shahla - Afghani = beautiful eyes
Shamaamah (shah-mah-mah)
M = fragrance of sent of itr (perfume)
Shameela/Shameelah
M = quality, character; young shoot, a bud
Shameena/Shamina (shah-MEE-nah)
M = fragrant, sweet-smelling scent; sweet breeze
Shamoodah (sha-moo-dah)
M = diamond, i.e. brillance, lustre
Shamsa (SHAM-sah)
P= Sun, feminine ending. Shamsha I= Sun
Shani (SHAH-nee)
F-Swahili= marvelous, Kiswahili = unusual thing/adventure
Shara/Sharna/Sharonda/Sharrona
H = form of Sharon
Sharifa/Shareefah (shah-REE-fah)
M= noble, gentle, urbane
Shazadi (shah-ZAH-dee)
P= princess
Shey
R-Am Gypsy = pre-puberty gypsy girl
Shebari
R-Am Gypsy = gypsy girl of marriageable age; bride
Shiri/Shirilee (sheer-ee-lee)
H = my song
Shirin (sheer-IN)
P=sweet, a legendary beauty
Shula/Shu'la
A = flaming, bright
Siddiqah
M = "one who keeps her word"
Sidona
H = enticing
Sidra
M = religious "lote-tree at the fartherest border of paradise"
Sigliah
H = violet
Sivia/Sivya
H = a deer
Songl
T = last rose
Soraya, Suraya (Soh-rai-yah)
P= Star, Pleiades constellation; Princess
Surayyah
M = free of worry; happy
Souzan
P = burning, fire
Suad
M = good fortune
Suhailah (soo-HAY-lah)
M = canopy, tent, marquee
Sura
T (no special meaning)

T

Tabitha
G/Aramic = roe, a gazelle
Tahmina (tah-MEE-nah)
P=Rustam's wife in famous poem
Tahira/Tahirah (tah-HEER-ah)
M = pure, chaste, pious, clean
Tahiyyah
M = greeting, cheer
Tajah
M = crown
Talia
H = dew
Taliah
H = lamkin
Talibah
M = seeker of knowledge
Talor/Talora
H = dew of the morning
Talya
T (no special meaning)
Tamar/Tamara/Tamarah( H) Tamra (tam-rah)
P= date (fruit) yeilding palm tree
Tania
Russian = the fairy queen
Taslimah
M = salutation, peace
Tavi/Tavita
H = fem. form of David, i.e. "Beloved"
Temirah
H = tall, erect, "like a palm"
Tayyibah (tah-YEE-bah)
M = good, sweet, agreeable, pure, chaste; "halaal"
Tarana
(tuh-rah-nuh) P= melody
Thalia
G = to flourish, to bloom
Thurrayya
M = star; the Pleiades
Timora
H = tall (as the palm tree)
Tikvah
H = hope
Tira
H = encampment/enclosure
Tirza/Tirzha/Tirsa
H = pleasant
Tomris
T (no special meaning)
Tova/Tovah
H = good
Tuhfah
M = present, gift
Tzafrirah (zah-freer-ah)
H = morning zephr

U

Uhuru (oo-HOO-ru)
F-Kiswahili= freedom

X

Xenia/Ximena
= from the Greek "Xenia", hospitality to a stranger

Y

Yalanda
G = form of Yolanda (violet flower)
Yaminah
M = right hand
Yasmin (YAHS-min) or (yahs-MEEN)
M= Jasmine, sym. Friendliness
Yegane (yeh-gah-nee)
P= incomparable beauty
Yeira
H = light (see also Meira)
Yemina
H = right hand
Yesim
T = jade
Yildiz
T = star
Yoninah
H = little dove
Yosefa/Yosifa
A = feminine of Joseph/Yosef

Z

Zabrina
H = form of Sabrina
Zahira/Zaahirah (zah-hee-rah)
M = blooming flower; of bright & lovely color; lofty
Zahra/Zahrah (ZAH-rah) or Zahara
M= flower
Zaib (zah-eeb)/Zainab
M = beautiful tree exuding fragrance; elder daughter of Rasoolulah
Zambak
T = lily
Zaraa' (zah-RAH)
M = beautiful; the Lady of Jannah
Zahavah
H = golden
Zakiyah (zah-KEE-yah)
M = lady of keen perception and sharp mind
Zalika (zah-LEE-kah)
F-Swahili= well-born
Zareen
M = golden, gold
Zarifah
M = graceful; T Zarifa/Zarifet = also code for "gay" in Ottoman times
Zayn
M = beautiful, graceful
Zeenat (zee-naht)
M = beauty, elegance, adornment
Zel
T = private, special
Zlem
T = longing, yearning
Zemirah
H = song of joy; hospitable
Zeinab (ZAY-nab)
F-Somali = good
Zena (ZAH-nah)
F-Ethiopian= Fame, P= woman, H= stranger (see Xenia)
Zikiya (zah-KEE-yah)
F-Swahili= smart, intelligent
Zimra/Zimora
H = branch, 2) song of praise
Zemira/Zemorah
H = a branch
Zia
H = to tremble
Zina
G = form of Zena, Xenia
Ziva/Zivah
H = bright, radiant
Ziynet
T = ornament
Zohar
H = shining, brilliant
Zubaydah
M = best part; cream
Zuhairah
M = blossom, radiant, shining
Zuhra/Zurah (zooh-rah)
A= Venus ( heavenly body)
Zulaikha/Zulaikhah (zoo-lai-ee-kah?)
M = so beautiful that people gape in wonderment. Biblical; woman who loved Joseph.
Zaleekhah (zoo-lee-kah)
M = same as Zulaikha
Zumarrad
M = emerald, precious stone

Last Modified: 28 April 1996
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