I want a stealth Arabic name

[allhailtheaubergine]

We live in the ME, and I thought it would be nice to have an Arabic middle name to reflect that.

Dh says that would be impossibly naff.

So, what I need is a name that he thinks is a nice normal name, but secretly I know it has Arabic meaning or connection.

Oh, and it doesn't have to be too normal - we have fairly off the wall names for our kids, but it mustn't be obviously Arabic or dh will veto on naffness grounds.

[meditrina]

Boy, girl or either?

[allhailtheaubergine]

Boy or girl.

Afra and Ada are both good.

I will ask people out here, but can't yet as not admitting to being pg yet.

[allhailtheaubergine]

Thank you. I'm only about 5 minutes pregnant so am getting a bit ahead of myself. Choosing names is the best bit!

BabyNameWorld doesn't mention Ada having Arabic meaning.

[Northernlurker]

I really like Ada. It's my tip to make a huge comeback in the wake of Ava etc.

[allhailtheaubergine]

It's pronounced "AY-da" right?

It is quite a bit like Eve Evie Eva Ava ad infinitum. Such pretty names, and VERY popular.

[colditz]

laila

[tabulahrasa]

Hanna, may, mona?

[allhailtheaubergine]

Laila is lovely, but only one letter different from eldest's name.

I like Faridah / Farida

Or Farrah?

Mariam? Oh no, it means uncertain or bitter.

Hana?

[meditrina]

Zara (as in Phillips, as far as yr DH is concerned)

[Northernlurker]

Zara is lovely. It means the dawn doesn't it?

[allhailtheaubergine]

I actually love Freda too.

Okay, so lots of girls names shaping up.

Question: Farah means joyful; Hana means happiness; we were thinking about Joy as a third name. Is that a joy overload?

And what about stealth boy names?

[meditrina]

Fatima might work if you're Catholic (as in "Our Lady of"), and Aisha and Aida are also both in use in Europe, as is Nadia. Layla? Sara? Jasmine/Yasmin?

Also: some stealthy pairings: Dahlia? (very PG Wodehouse, and Dalia is an Arabic version). Mayy/May? Hanā/Hannah? Maryam/Miriam? Marwa/Maura? Randa/Miranda?

I'm having difficulty coming up with boys names: Sammy (from Samuel for DH, but Samir, stealthily)?

[saidthespiderwithahorridsmile]

Amina?

[eandz]

sometimes dalia can also mean 'oatmeal/porridge'

[saidthespiderwithahorridsmile]

Hava

[nulgirl]

Adam - i know some mixed heritage families who have called their son this as it works well in both cultures