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.

Boy, girl or either?

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.

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.

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

It's pronounced "AY-da" right?

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

laila

Hanna, may, mona?

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?

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

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

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?

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)?

Amina?

sometimes dalia can also mean 'oatmeal/porridge'

Hava

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