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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Names that remind you of Dubai/Middle East

70 replies

FreshCop · 29/10/2022 22:06

Sister is preg with twins and wants a name that will be a reminder of living in Dubai (currently she's a teacher at a school there)

Any suggestions?

So far she has taken a liking to Noor/Noora which means moonlight and for a boy Faris.

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EstellaRijnveld · 30/10/2022 07:12

Does your sister have a cultural or familial connection to the Middle East? Thinking about cultural appropriation.

Try names like:
Adam, Danyal (Daniel) Zakariah (Zak) Aden, Jacob, Joseph, Sami, Harris, Faris, Gabriel
(Old Testament names cross over into most Islamic names but if you’re not Muslim then choose the Old Testament version instead)

Sara, Tara, Zara, Miriam, Rachel, Natasha, Nadia, Farah

tenbob · 30/10/2022 07:01

MrsAlexander · 29/10/2022 22:55

My female neighbour is Riyad...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital

Because nothing says ‘cute baby’ like thinking of public beheadings 🤔

Jleome · 30/10/2022 07:00

Mariam, Amani, Maitha, Manal, Rania, Reina, Fadia, Olaa and of course Sarah

Thani, Fares, Firas, Suleyman, Said

ConnieSaks · 29/10/2022 23:40

Eisa, Shafiq & Shadi. I also like Amir.

Original poster
FreshCop · 29/10/2022 22:55

Noor
Maryam
Farah

All lovely, I think Farah is very sweet too. However the boys names seem less able to blend into a more international feel and crosscultures don't they.

I did suggest Yousef to her which is a variation of Joseph.

OP posts:
MrsAlexander · 29/10/2022 22:55

My female neighbour is Riyad...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital

ButAmI · 29/10/2022 22:44

Sandie

HTH

AriettyHomily · 29/10/2022 22:44

Noor
Maryam
Farah

Adnan
Hisham
Jamal

MightyAtlantic · 29/10/2022 22:43

Burj for a boy, Khalifa for a girl. Grin

boozebarge · 29/10/2022 22:42

Pedantic, but Noor means light, not specifically moonlight.

Ideas:

Leila/Laila (night)
Maha (deer)
Sahar (dawn/just before dawn more specifically)

Amir (prince)
Jamal (beauty)
Samir (loyal)

Original poster
FreshCop · 29/10/2022 22:40

I would pick Noor too. I love it and tried to persuade my husband.

Noor sounds so sweet doesn't it

OP posts:
Original poster
FreshCop · 29/10/2022 22:39

How about Loujain after the heroic Saudi activist?

Ideally something that will be easier for everyone to pronounce. I'm presuming you say that name “Lou-Jane” ?? Which is pretty

OP posts:
RandomMusings7 · 29/10/2022 22:36

Samir/Samira

Intru · 29/10/2022 22:35

Most common boys names are;

Mohammed
Abdullah
Ahmed
Ali
Khalid
Saeed
Omar
Rashid

Intru · 29/10/2022 22:33

FreshCop · 29/10/2022 22:06

Sister is preg with twins and wants a name that will be a reminder of living in Dubai (currently she's a teacher at a school there)

Any suggestions?

So far she has taken a liking to Noor/Noora which means moonlight and for a boy Faris.

Mohammed would be the obvious one.

Luredbyapomegranate · 29/10/2022 22:30

FreshCop · 29/10/2022 22:06

Sister is preg with twins and wants a name that will be a reminder of living in Dubai (currently she's a teacher at a school there)

Any suggestions?

So far she has taken a liking to Noor/Noora which means moonlight and for a boy Faris.

These seem fine as middle names. I wouldn’t use them as first names without cultural connection from your family or her partner’s — not because anyone would likely be offended, just because the kids won’t connect with it if they don’t grow up there, or if they do it will be odd to have those names as ex pats

StillNotWarm · 29/10/2022 22:23

Zara, Miriam, Laila

Ad(h)am, Harris, Yaccob

JennyForeigner · 29/10/2022 22:19

I always liked Mehdi for a boy too.

JennyForeigner · 29/10/2022 22:18

I would pick Noor too. I love it and tried to persuade my husband.

How about Loujain after the heroic Saudi activist?

MissVantaBlack · 29/10/2022 22:15

Laila
Sophia/Sofia
Adam
Zain