Arabic names for white child

Of course it is. But did you know it was also an Arabic name? I didn’t, until I met the Muslim mum.

Names cross cultures. Sometimes by adoption (Safia), sometimes from the same sources (Zara), sometimes entirely by coincidence (Idris).

I think it will depend where you are in the country to some extent. I live in the kind of very white area where a school will have one black kid and that's it. I don't think people would connect names like Amira with a specific culture where I live. I think people would just think it was a unique name, because there are so many weird and wonderful names for children nowadays 🤷 I think it would only matter if you were using something exceptionally obvious here like Mohammed.

If you live in an area with a high Muslim population, people might be more confused. But at the end of the day, we live in multicultural world, and it is inevitable that some names with Arabic origins will become popular with Brits.

Amira is a lovely name. Just be prepared for some raised eye brows, depending where you live.

I honestly think that outside of the internet, the vast majority of people don't give a shit where names come from.

Layla

I don't think it's appropriation. Why should Phoebe and Zara be OK but not Safiya?

There are so many names out there I wouldn't think anything of it.

I think that as long as the chosen name doesn’t have direct connections to a religion that you’re not part of (Mohammad etc) then it should be alright to use.

Make sure you do your research into spelling and pronunciation as well if you’re choosing a name from another culture. We have a girl at work whose name sounds like a colour but is spelt like a well known Welsh name.

Millions of S Asians are Christian.

I am half Arab and I don’t think it’s cultural appropriation. Some Arabs name their children Sally or Heidi or Diana. Give your child the name you like! Here are some of my favourites:

Selma (safe)
Selwa (comfort)
Esma/ Asma (supreme)
Dahlia/Dalia (grape vine)
Dina
Ward/ Wardah (Rose)
Nadia
Nayla (successful)
Lulu/Loulou (pearl)
Amani (hopes)
Samar (one who is tanned)
Nariman (courageous)
Mariam (Mary)
Nora/Noura (light)
Hana/Hanna (Joy)
Sara
Abla (perfect)
Anisa (happy)
Dana/Dania (perfect pearl)
Nadira (rare)
Sawsan (Susan)
Samia / Samya
Karam/Karima (generous)
Maram (hopes)
Souraya (constellation of stars or jewel)
Inaya (care)
Aida
Narmin/ Narmeen(flower)
Atiya (gift or present)
Jannan (heart and soul)
Haya (virtue)
Hala (Halo)
Lina (delicate)
Souhaila/ Souhayla (gentle)
Loujane/ Lujain(silver)
Ramlah (Sand)
Randa (Bay leaf)
Jouri (Damask Rose)
Kinza (Treasure)
Jumana/Joumana (Pearl)
Baylasan (Elderflower)
Shadin (Young Gazelle)
Orjuwan/Juwan/Joane (Purple, and an ornamental shrub)
Sidra (Tree)
Kinda (Mountain)
Kayan (Existence)
Joudi (Ancient Place)
Renad (Perfume)
Minna (Blessing)
Aryam (Gazelles)

Idris is a Welsh name to be fair. Loads of Idris’ here in my corner of Wales!

i agree with your post though

I wouldn't do it OP.

Mohammad is a very common name but I've never come acros a white English family with a son called Mohammad.

Anya

I mean as someone mixed black/south Asian I would be surprised if I met a Fatimah, Shahida or Iqra and it was a white British person lol

But if you love the name then go for it? Amaya and amirah are pretty easy to 'integrate' in that sense imo. Zahra, Yasmin/Jasmin are also nice. Selena, Saphiya, Aaliyah/Alia/Alya, Mina, Aisha/Alisha/Alicia

Cultural appropriation? Nonsense. I know a Jewish Amira and a white, English Safia. Safia has to keep correcting people who see her name written and assume it’s a typo for Sofia, but Safiya shouldn’t have any problem with that.

I know two mothers, one white Welsh, the other Asian Muslim, both of whom have sons called Idris.

It would never occur to me that any of these names flag an individual as Muslim. And, even if they did, what’s the big deal?

Incredibly insensitive of them

Don't worry about using a name from your country of origin. You can use any name you feel fits of which you like the meaning

Bonkers that people think you can’t call a child a name outside its origin. My name is Russian and my siblings names are French and Spanish. My friend is white and her name is Indian. It’s fine.

I love Amira and Safiya

Mildly off topic but there was a thread about a year ago where the op was asking for opinions on Zara and majority thought they were naming the kid after the fashion chain.

I think names is a fine line. I wouldn’t see a problem with people from other countries giving their kids names with origins in the British isles so I don’t really see the problem with a white British kid having a name with an Arabic origin as long as it I wasn’t a particularly religious name as that would be more likely to be seen as cultural appropriation imo.

What about Amalia? It’s European but similar to some of your favourites maybe?

Arabic and Muslim aren't the same thing though.

I don’t think it’s an issue. Go for it.

Wow, staff need diversity training again! Bonkers to assume religion based on name and a large proportion of Arabs are Christian so even more silly.

I'd assume you were Muslim if you gave your child a Muslim name. Also, with Islamaphobia on the rise, it's probably not a good idea giving your child an Arabic name.

Wtf

I'm white but my husband is Pakistani.
we had Amyrah, amaya and Amira but last minute called her Maliha 😅
there’s some beautiful Arabic names and I know a lot of white girls with names that are Arabic but sound more white 🤷🏼‍♀️

My name comes from a different country/ culture. I don't look anything like a person from this country. Many people don't even know my names origin and often ask. I just say it's from X country and sometimes it means Y. This is followed by oh, it's a beautiful name & meaning (yep, my parents choose well!) I don't feel awkward or weird about it. It's just a matter of fact.

So use the name that you love the most for your little girl!

No, as these are commonly used names in many countries, albeit with some spelling variations. Some of your choices are very obviously Arabic (although very lovely).
Do you just like the names or is there a reason behind it (perhaps a special trip you took together). My friends gave their kid the Greek spelling of a popular name because that was where they met while working overseas.