31 Muslim Last Names with Meanings & Origins You’ll Love

Muslim last names are rooted in faith, ancestry, profession, or place. They’re Persian, Arab, Bengali, Berber, Pathan, Hausa, Bosniak. Some tell stories of prophets. Others echo the sound of swords, trades, or scholars. 

So, let me share with you 31 powerful Muslim last names, their meanings, origins, and the cultural footprints they leave behind. So, if you’re tracing your own lineage, choosing a name as a new Muslim, or just curious, these names offer more than labels, they tell living stories.

What Are Muslim Last Names? Understanding Their Roots and Purpose

A Muslim last name isn’t just about religion. It’s a reflection of where you come from, who your people are, and what your ancestors once did. It might tell the story of a place (Al-Masri = “the Egyptian”), a lineage (Syed = “descendant of the Prophet”), or a profession (Haddad = “blacksmith”).

What makes a last name Muslim isn’t a single rule. Some are Arabic, rich with Quranic echoes. Others come from Persian, Urdu, or Turkic roots, traced through Central Asia, South Asia, or North Africa. You’ll find names like Shah in Iran, Ansari in India, Khan in Kazakhstan, and Bukhari in Pakistan.

Religion influences the tone, names often express submission (Abdullah = “servant of God”) or divine traits (Rahman = “merciful”). But just as often, the last name of a Muslim is tied to geography, trade, or tribe. In Islam, lineage matters. So names pass down like fingerprints of the past, personal, permanent, and full of meaning.

As one user on Reddit put it:

“Much of a traditional Muslim last name is ancestry and honorifics… It’s identity in shorthand.”

23 Most Common Muslim Last Names and What They Mean

Common Muslim last names are like old keys, each one unlocks a story. Some point to noble bloodlines. Others to places long forgotten. Many stem from devotion, strength, or service. Below is a list of the most common Muslim last names, their meanings, and cultural roots.

Last Name	Meaning	Origin & Notes
Khan	“Ruler” or “Leader”	Turkic-Mongol title, now common in South Asia and Central Asia. Not inherently Islamic but widely used by Muslims.
Ali	“Exalted” or “High”	Arabic. Common due to Imam Ali (RA), cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Syed / Sayyid	“Master” or “Descendant of Prophet”	Honorific for direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad through Fatima (RA) and Ali (RA).
Hussain / Hussein	“Beautiful” or “Good”	Arabic. Name of the Prophet’s grandson. A symbol of sacrifice, especially in Shia traditions.
Ahmed / Ahmad	“Highly praised”	Another name of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Popular in Egypt, Pakistan, and beyond.
Qureshi	“Of the Quraysh tribe”	Denotes lineage from the Prophet’s tribe in Mecca. Common in South Asia.
Haqq / Haq	“Truth”	Arabic. Often used in compound names (e.g., Abdul Haq = servant of the Truth). Popular in South Asia.
Malik	“King” or “Chieftain”	Arabic word for ruler. Also a clan name in Punjab and Kashmir.
Sheikh / Shaikh	“Elder” or “Scholar”	Often denotes learned status. Also used as a surname in Arab and South Asian cultures.
Ansari	“The Helpers”	Linked to the Ansar, residents of Medina who helped the Prophet. Common in India, Pakistan.
Farooqi	“Discerner”	Linked to Caliph Umar Al-Farooq. Signifies sharp judgment or separation of truth from falsehood.
Mirza	“Prince” or “Nobleman”	Persian origin. Historically used by nobility in Mughal India.
Noorani	“Radiant” or “Luminous”	Arabic-Persian mix. Often used among Shia Ismailis linked to the Noor (light) of Imamat.
Siddiqui	“Truthful one”	Refers to Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, the Prophet’s closest companion. Common in India and Pakistan.
Abbasi	“Of Abbas”	Descendants of Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib, uncle of the Prophet. Widespread in Pakistan, Iraq.
Yousafzai	“Descendants of Joseph”	A major Pashtun tribe. “Zai” means son of.
Chowdhury / Chaudhry	“Landowner” or “Leader”	Common in South Asia. Originally a feudal title, now a surname.
Shah	“King”	Persian origin. Once a title, now a common surname across Iran, India, Pakistan.
Bukhari	“From Bukhara”	Geographic nisba. It also honors Imam Al-Bukhari, compiler of Sahih Bukhari hadith.
Alavi / Alvi	“Descendant of Ali”	Indicates lineage from Imam Ali (RA). Common among Shia and Sufi families.
Niazi	Tribal name	Pashtun origin. A warrior tribe originally from Afghanistan.
Kazmi	“Of Musa Al-Kazim”	Descendants of the 7th Shia Imam. Prominent in India, Pakistan.
Shafi / Shafiee	“Intercessor”	Named after Imam Al-Shafi’i, founder of one of the four Sunni legal schools.

These names do more than label. They honor faith, heritage, and community. Many Muslim surnames stem from Arabic roots but evolve regionally, picking up meaning through migrations, marriages, and generations.

As one Quora user shared:

“My last name is Siddiqui… knowing it’s tied to Abu Bakr gives me a connection deeper than just culture. It’s part of who I strive to be.”

21 Unique Muslim Last Names You Rarely Hear About

Not every Muslim last name is common like Khan or Syed. Some are rare. Quiet. Carried like tucked-away pages from family history. These names come with charm, mystery, and cultural flavor, perfect for those wanting something deeper.

If you’re a Muslim convert, choosing a name can feel like naming your second self. These unique Muslim last names offer both spiritual meaning and rich regional roots. They speak softly but carry weight, especially for those tracing Islam through lesser-known paths.

Last Name	Meaning	Origin / Cultural Note
Zainal	“Beauty of the Faith”	Southeast Asian variant of Zain al-Din. Common in Malaysia, Indonesia.
Bakari	“One Who Will Succeed”	Swahili, East African. Reflects strength and destiny.
Awan	“Helper”	Punjabi origin, claims descent from early Islamic warriors.
Sibai	“One Who Watches the Night”	Arabic, poetic, rarely heard outside classical texts.
Tijani	“Belonging to Tijaniyya order”	West African Sufi order. Widespread in Senegal, Mali, Nigeria.
Bey	“Lord” or “Chief”	Turkish title, now surname. Symbol of Ottoman leadership.
Dagestani	“From Dagestan”	Caucasus region. Reflects ethnic Muslim heritage in Russia.
Azhari	“One Affiliated with Al-Azhar”	Honors the famous Egyptian university. Sufi, scholarly connotation.
Yildiz	“Star”	Turkish surname, poetic and cosmic in feel.
Haqiqi	“Of Truth, Genuine”	Persian-influenced name denoting authenticity and spirit.
Azikiwe	“Born on a Sunday”	Nigerian Muslim surname. Used by Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria’s first President.
Ghaznavi	“From Ghazni”	Historical region in Afghanistan. Linked to warrior poets.
Sulaimon	“Solomon”	Yoruba Muslim variant of Suleiman. Common in Nigeria.
Mahjoubi	“Veiled or Hidden”	North African surname with Sufi roots.
Chebbi	“Young or Youthful”	Found in Tunisia, poetic vibe—like poet Abu al-Qasim al-Chebbi.
Nazimuddin	“Discipliner of the Faith”	South Asian, honorific. Used among scholars and nobles.
Kacem	“Divider, Judge”	Maghrebi variant of Qasim. Common in Morocco and Algeria.
Zahran	“Blossom, Radiant”	Egyptian or Levantine. Rare but lyrical.
Tatar	“Of Tatar descent”	Russian and Central Asian Muslims. Tied to old steppe kingdoms.
Maturidi	“Follower of Abu Mansur Al-Maturidi”	Refers to a Sunni theological school. Rare, scholarly name.
Omarzai	“Son of Omar”	Pashtun lineage name, soft yet noble.

These names are stitched into quieter corners of the Muslim world, African coasts, Ottoman palaces, Central Asian mosques, Southeast Asian villages. Each one has a soul.

As one Muslim revert shared on Instagram:

“I didn’t want a flashy name. I chose Tijani because it reflected both faith and my West African roots. It felt like I wasn’t erasing who I was—just refining it.”

For a deeper dive into culturally diverse Muslim last names, explore Wikipedia’s surname by region map.

Muslim Surname Structure Explained: How Muslim Last Names Are Built Across Cultures

Think of a Muslim name like a sentence. Every part tells a piece of your story, who you are, where you’re from, and whose legacy you carry. Whether you’re in Cairo or Karachi, Tashkent or Toronto, the Muslim name structure follows a pattern shaped by faith and culture.

At its core, there are four main building blocks:

1. Ism – This is your given name, like Amina or Omar. It’s your personal identity.
   
2. Nasab – Your lineage, often marked with ibn (son of) or bint (daughter of). Example: Amina bint Ali.
   
3. Nisba – A connection to place, tribe, or affiliation. Al-Baghdadi means “from Baghdad,” Qureshi links to the Prophet’s tribe.
   
4. Kunya – An honorific nickname, often parental. Abu Zayd means “father of Zayd.” Sometimes symbolic, not literal.
   

In the Middle East, full names can be long and formal, Omar ibn Hassan al-Masri. But in South Asia, many people use just two parts—Rahim Khan or Sana Farooqi—dropping lineage markers entirely. Meanwhile, Central Asian Muslims often blend Slavic endings like -ov or -ova (e.g., Karimov, Fatimova), especially in post-Soviet regions.

Male Muslim last names often stick to tribal or honor-based titles—Syed, Khan, Abbasi, Ansari. Women’s surnames are typically inherited and do not change after marriage in Islamic tradition, unlike Western norms. A woman named Fatima Hussain before marriage will likely remain Fatima Hussain after.

In short? A Muslim name is like a map—each word pointing to history, faith, and family.

19 Indian Muslim Last Names That Tell Ancestral Stories

Indian Muslim last names aren’t just labels, They’re living history. Carved from centuries of dynasties, migrations, Sufi saints, and scholars, these names carry the echoes of Islamic roots planted deep in the subcontinent.

From Delhi to Hyderabad, Indian Muslims have shaped art, science, politics, and spiritual life. These surnames reflect that legacy, some through noble lineages, others through trade guilds, religious scholarship, or regional pride. Here are 19 Muslim last names in India that speak volumes.

Last Name	Meaning	Cultural Insight
Ansari	“The Helpers”	Descendants of the Ansar of Medina. Many served as scholars or weavers in India.
Siddiqui	“Truthful One”	Lineage of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA). Respected for knowledge and integrity.
Farooqi	“One Who Distinguishes Right from Wrong”	Associated with Caliph Umar Farooq. Known for administrative roles.
Sheikh / Shaikh	“Elder” or “Scholar”	Once a religious title, later a widespread surname among spiritual leaders.
Mirza	“Prince”	Persian-Mughal nobility title. Common in Urdu-speaking regions.
Qureshi	“Of the Quraysh Tribe”	Traces lineage to the Prophet’s tribe. Also associated with butchers by profession in some communities.
Khan	“Leader” or “Chief”	Adopted widely during Mughal rule; now common among North Indian Muslims.
Abbasi	“Descendant of Abbas”	Royal line from Abbas, uncle of the Prophet. Known for administrative roles.
Naqvi	“Descendant of Imam Ali al-Naqi”	A Shia family name, denoting spiritual lineage.
Kazmi	“Descendant of Imam Musa al-Kazim”	Common among Shia Muslims in Lucknow and Hyderabad.
Chishti	“Affiliated with Chishti Sufi order”	Surnames of Sufi saints and followers—like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Nadwi	“Of Nadwa”	Scholars trained at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama in Lucknow.
Azmi	“From Azamgarh”	Nisba name showing regional origin, common among Urdu scholars.
Jafri	“Descendant of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq”	Shia origin, found especially in Uttar Pradesh.
Usmani / Osman	“Descendant of Uthman (RA)”	Surname of scholars and jurists. Linked to Deoband tradition.
Barelvi	“From Bareilly”	Followers of the Sunni Barelvi movement. Religious and poetic lineage.
Khatri	“Kshatriya roots converted to Islam”	Shows Hindu-Muslim blending in Northern India.
Lari	“From Lar, UP”	Traditionally linked to Sufi families. Known for scholarship and trade.
Makhdoomi	“One who has a spiritual master”	Common among Kashmiri Muslims, often linked to sainthood or teaching.

Many of these Muslim Indian last names are still spoken with reverence today. They carry stories of reformers, poets, jurists, and saints. As one user on Reddit shared:

“My last name is Kazmi. It connects me to a chain of imams, but it also reminds me of my nani’s stories of old Lucknow. It’s personal and spiritual.”

Muslim Last Names by Region: From Lebanon to Russia (17 Country Examples)

Muslim last names can sound completely different depending on whether it’s whispered in a Lebanese café, called out in a Nigerian mosque, or written on a Russian passport. 

Below are 17 regional snapshots of how Muslim last names take shape across the world:

1. Lebanon (Levant)

• Common Names: Al-Amin, Al-Husseini, Hariri, Makki
  
• Often linked to cities (al-Beiruti) or families of religious scholars.
  
• Many reflect Shi’a or Sunni heritage, and tribal ties dating back centuries.
  

2. Egypt

• Common Names: El-Sayed, Al-Masri, Tantawi
  
• “El” or “Al” prefix means “the,” and surnames often describe geography, craft, or tribal lineage.
  
• Religious titles like Sheikh are common among religious families.
  

3. Saudi Arabia

• Common Names: Al-Saud, Al-Qahtani, Al-Otaibi
  
• Tribal lineage is king. Surnames show deep ancestral ties and Bedouin roots.
  

4. Iraq

• Common Names: Al-Baghdadi, Al-Tikriti, Al-Hakim
  
• Rich mix of Arab, Kurdish, and Turkmen names—often reflecting geography or religious authority.
  

5. Pakistan

• Common Names: Khan, Qureshi, Siddiqui, Kazmi, Abbasi
  
• Mixture of Arabic lineage names, Persian titles, and tribal identifiers.
  
• Many names link to early Islamic figures or Sufi orders.
  

6. India

• Common Names: Ansari, Farooqi, Naqvi, Mirza, Sheikh
  
• Reflect religious schools, ancestry, or Persian influence from Mughal times.
  

7. Bangladesh

• Common Names: Chowdhury, Kazi, Haque, Rahman
  
• Strong Bengali identity mixed with Islamic roots. Many names end in -ur-Rahman (e.g., Abdur Rahman).
  

8. Afghanistan

• Common Names: Karzai, Akhundzada, Mujaddidi, Niazi
  
• Often tribal and patronymic (using -zai = “son of”). Many include religious or scholarly lineage.
  

9. Iran

• Common Names: Shirazi, Khomeini, Yazdi
  
• Persian surnames often point to city origin (Shirazi = from Shiraz), or spiritual leaders.
  

10. Kazakhstan / Central Asia

• Common Names: Nurmagomedov, Karimov, Suleymanov
  
• Surnames often take Slavic suffixes (-ov, -ev), reflecting Soviet influence.
  
• Blend of Turkic, Islamic, and Russian naming patterns.
  

11. Russia (Tatar Muslims)

• Common Names: Gareev, Yunusov, Akhmetov
  
• Tatars and Bashkirs are major Muslim groups. Names often use Russian endings but keep Islamic first names.
  

12. Nigeria

• Common Names: Sulaimon, Bello, Musa, Abdullahi
  
• Hausa and Yoruba Muslims combine Islamic names with African pronunciation.
  
• Many surnames reflect conversion-era naming.
  

13. Senegal / Mali

• Common Names: Tijani, Ba, Diallo, Sow
  
• Strong Sufi influence, especially the Tijaniyya order. Names often reflect Arabic and Fulani roots.
  

14. Malaysia

• Common Names: Zainal, Ibrahim, Roslan, Hashim
  
• Arabic-origin names adapted into Malay phonetics. Rarely use “bin”/“binti” as surnames, those are part of full name.
  

15. Indonesia

• Common Names: Subhan, Munir, Hafidz
  
• Many use Arabic religious terms as names. Surnames are less formal; family names often flexible.
  

16. United Kingdom (Diaspora)

• Common Names: Chowdhury, Ahmed, Khan, Begum
  
• Reflect roots in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and East Africa. Often retain traditional names alongside legal ones.
  

17. United States & France

• Common Names: Syed, Aziz, Abdallah, Boumediene
  
• In France, North African surnames like Ben Ali or Bouzid are common. In the U.S., Muslim surnames often reflect immigrant roots from across the Muslim world.
  

15 Muslim Last Names That Start With “M” or “S”

Some names roll off the tongue with grace. Others land with weight. In Muslim cultures, last names starting with “M” or “S” often do both. They carry elegance, history, and identity, whether you’re reading Mirza in poetry or hearing Syed in a family gathering.

Here’s a curated list of Muslim surnames that begin with M and S, each with meaning, sound, and cultural texture.

Names That Start With M

Name	Meaning	Notes
Malik	King, Master	Arabic origin. Appears in the Qur’an as one of Allah’s names (Al-Malik).
Mansoor	Victorious	Symbol of triumph. Common across Arab and South Asian communities.
Mirza	Prince	Persian title. Used by nobility during Mughal rule.
Moinuddin	Supporter of the Faith	Spiritual tone, linked to Sufi figures like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Mahmood	Praiseworthy	Related to the name of the Prophet Muhammad (Ahmad/Mahmood).
Mujaddidi	Renewer (of the faith)	Denotes reformers or Sufi revivalists. Rare and scholarly.
Makhdoomi	One who has a master	Common in Kashmir and spiritual lineages.
Mazari	Of the Mazari tribe	Popular in Balochistan and Afghan regions. Strong tribal identity.

Names That Start With S

Name	Meaning	Notes
Syed	Master, Descendant of the Prophet	One of the most revered Muslim surnames.
Siddiqui	Truthful	Traces back to Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA). Common in India, Pakistan.
Sabri	Of the Sabri Sufi order	Reflects patience (sabr). Has a soft, spiritual ring.
Shaikh / Sheikh	Elder, Scholar	Title-turned-surname used across Arab and South Asian cultures.
Shamsi	Solar, Of the Sun	Radiant and poetic. Rare but meaningful.
Sulemani	Of Suleiman (AS)	Noble and historic. Associated with wisdom and power.
Sarmad	Eternal	Arabic-Persian blend. Deep and mystical.

Names starting with “M” and “S” don’t just sound elegant. They carry themes of leadership, light, truth, and faith. They’re ideal for those who want something both classic and meaningful.

13 Beautiful Muslim Girl Last Names & Their Feminine Power

Muslim girl last names don’t just reflect lineage. They whisper stories of strength, softness, and spiritual grace. In many cultures, surnames aren’t overtly gendered. But some last names naturally carry a feminine sound or spirit, echoing qualities like wisdom, compassion, or beauty.

Whether rooted in the Qur’an, Sufi tradition, or cultural heritage, these Muslim last names for girls offer both meaning and melodic beauty, ideal for those seeking identity with pride and poise.

Name	Meaning	Why It Resonates
Al-Nisa	“Of Women”	Inspired by Surah An-Nisa. Evokes dignity and the legacy of righteous women.
Rafiqah	“Companion” or “Kind Friend”	Gentle, relational, and deeply feminine. Ideal for peace-loving personalities.
Zahra	“Radiant, Blossom”	A name of Fatima Zahra (RA), daughter of the Prophet. Symbol of purity and light.
Sabriya	“Patient”	Feminine form of Sabri. Tied to inner strength through trials.
Jamila	“Beautiful”	Arabic. Smooth and graceful. Universal appeal.
Aaliyah	“Exalted, High”	Rising name in the West, rooted in divine elevation. Feminine version of Ali.
Shireen	“Sweet, Pleasant”	Persian roots. Soft on the tongue. Popular in South Asia and Iran.
Yasmin	“Jasmine flower”	Fragrant, floral, and gentle. Worn by queens and everyday women alike.
Latifa	“Kind, Subtle”	Also one of Allah’s names (Al-Latif). Feminine, thoughtful, poetic.
Munira	“Luminous”	Arabic. Feminine form of Munir. Brings to mind inner light.
Baraka	“Blessing”	East African and Arabic overlap. Strong, meaningful, joyful.
Fawziya	“Victorious”	Tied to resilience and triumph. Elegant yet bold.
Amirah	“Princess, Leader”	Feminine counterpart to Amir. Regal and respected.

These names remind us that beauty in Islam isn’t about appearance. It’s about values. Patience, faith, light, truth. That’s what shines.

As one Muslim woman wrote on Facebook:

“I chose Latifa for my daughter because kindness isn’t weakness. It’s strength in silence.”

For more rich name meanings, visit Alim.org’s Names of Muslim Girls, a resource that blends faith and feminine identity.

Muslim First and Last Name Combinations That Flow Well (With Meaning)

A good name doesn’t just sound right, it feels right. For babies, characters, or new converts, the right blend of Muslim first and last names can carry faith, story, and style in just a few syllables.

Think of it like poetry. When the first and last name align, by sound or meaning, it creates a name that lingers in the ear and stays in the heart.

Here are thoughtfully curated combinations where both names complement each other in meaning and rhythm:

Full Name	Meaning	Why It Works
Amina Noorani	“Trustworthy light”	Amina (Prophet’s mother); Noorani adds spiritual brilliance.
Idris Haqq	“Studious truth”	Idris (a prophet known for wisdom) paired with Haqq (truth). Powerful and simple.
Zainab Rafiqah	“Beautiful companion”	Feminine and kind, ideal for a character or daughter name.
Yusuf Farooqi	“Joseph who discerns truth”	Faith and logic combined. Timeless across cultures.
Fatima Sabriya	“Chaste and patient”	Fatima (RA), the Prophet’s daughter, paired with Sabriya, strength in softness.
Ibrahim Siddiqui	“Father of nations, truthful”	Reflects deep faith and leadership.
Layla Baraka	“Night of blessings”	Romantic, mystical, and rich in Arabic sound.
Omar Kazmi	“Long-lived, descendant of Imam Kazim”	Bold, historical, full of spiritual weight.
Aaliyah Abbasi	“Exalted descendant of Abbas”	Noble yet approachable.
Huda Noor	“Guidance and light”	Meaningfully aligned. Short, impactful.
Bilal Usmani	“Early caller to prayer, of Uthman (RA)”	Deep Islamic resonance, ideal for a boy or historical figure.
Mariam Zahra	“Pure and radiant”	Reflects Qur’anic femininity and grace.
Salim Jafri	“Peaceful descendant of Jafar”	Flows well, noble lineage.
Zayd Tirmidhi	“Growth and scholarship”	Tirmidhi links to hadith scholarship—ideal for literary characters.
Nura Shamsi	“Light of the sun”	Metaphorical, lyrical, and feminine.

Wrap-Up: 

There’s no single mold for a Muslim surname. No checklist. No rulebook that says your name must sound a certain way to reflect your faith or roots. Because names—like people—carry complexity, emotion, and history.

If you’re curious about your own surname, start digging. Trace the meaning. Ask your elders. Explore online tools. Or just reflect. And if you feel like sharing, drop your name story in the comments on this platform. Someone else might be walking the same path. And finally, stay connected with us for more interesting information.