Names that remind you of Dubai/Middle East

[FreshCop]

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.

Agree with all this.

Although OP is looking for names on behalf of her pregnant sister, not herself

Basically OP there are very few names in the Muslim world that have no religious connotation. As there are a great many people who grew up with study of their religion, they all know! For Christians, their names are different. There are admittedly a few names that "cross over" but it's generally possible to know someone's religion, whether practicing or not, from their first name.

Therefore, what your DSis is inadvertently doing is choosing a Muslim name as a non-Muslim.

If she really wants to pay respects to Emirati culture by giving her baby a name, then she should use it as a middle name. It does seem a bit unfair on the baby who will have little to no contact with Emirati culture her/himself and is also not Muslim though.

I'd also suggest she investigates a bit more why Muslim children have certain names. It's not like Muslim parents across the world don't know of other names. Yet they stick with the same name pool (with alterations for dialects and languages). Once she understands that she may see why this idea could be problematic.

I love Noor. It was on my list, because as a pp said it’s popular in the Netherlands and my dc have Dutch heritage.

I think you’re also fine with Jasmine or Nadia, which are beautiful.

I love Noor. It was on my list, because as a pp said it’s popular in the Netherlands and my dc have Dutch heritage.

How beautiful, is it a full name in the Netherlands for Dutch girls?

It’s good to know those have cross over. I really don’t think it’s offensive to call a western girl Laila, or Jasmine for example and I’m sure people of that region would be happy that you liked their names/were inspired because you enjoyed living in their country.

From what I know they’re incredibly welcoming people and would be happy you appreciated their culture.

I'd also suggest she investigates a bit more why Muslim children have certain names. It's not like Muslim parents across the world don't know of other names.

i don’t think she’s planning on naming her child Mohammed or Abdulla - something more cross cultural as I’ve explained - and there are some names like Adam or Laith that I think work in both countries.

Some PPs are taking a really bizarre line on this. Of COURSE names like Laila / Layla, Jasmine, Maya etc are widely used internationally - they are absolutely not exclusive to Muslims. I can’t think of any boys equivalents though, although names like Adam are common to many cultures.

I can see the point about not giving the child a name with obvious religious connotations but that’s not obvious with some of these names.

‘Cultural appropriation’ give over 🙄

I don’t think she’s planning on naming her child Mohammed or Abdulla - something more cross cultural as I’ve explained - and there are some names like Adam or Laith that I think work in both countries.

Maybe not, but we're online so sometimes the obvious has to be stated, because some rather religious names have been stated and other than Mohammed or Abdullah, I'm not sure if you or she would know which they are. Maybe you do, but online can't easily tell.

Adam is definitely popular these days and Rayan is similar for boys, chosen by parents who don't want their kids to have problems due to their names in Europe/America/Australia (like their parents often have).

I'd go with one that is easy to pronounce in English as well as Arabic, personally, otherwise it's going to be butchered. Personally I'd also go with one thats reasonably popular/common in the UK in general.
Eg:
Leila
Sara

I'm sure there are others!

How beautiful, is it a full name in the Netherlands for Dutch girls?

Yes, complete name.

I'd go with one that is easy to pronounce in English as well as Arabic, personally, otherwise it's going to be butchered. Personally I'd also go with one thats reasonably popular/common in the UK in general.
**
Eg:
**
Leila
Sara

I agree with you here, and I really don’t think it’s cultural appropriation or offensive to name your child something that is a reminder of where they were born. in fact I think there will be a nice story behind it.

I think the majority of people calling it cultural appropriation are probably English not Local Arabs 😂

I do actually know of one girl (adult now) names Jamila as she was born in the UAE in the 80’s and nobody kicked up a fuss.

How about all the British people who aren’t Muslim naming their boys Zayn? That’s cultural appropriation 😜

I also used to teach in Dubai and agree with most PP. An Arabic name for a child with no links other than "my mum used to teach there" is going to end up with the child resenting it or changing it.

If they are set on this, pick a favourite as a middle name or stick to one of the names that are already used in western cultures. Noor is a beautiful name but if I was them I wouldn't use as first name.

Girls I would use Za(h)ra or Leila
Boys, Adam, Ali or Aaron

FYI PP who suggested Khalifa for a girl... it is a v popular boys name in the UAE and my first thought when I read the post title!

I think not mentioned already but seem quite cross-cultural.

Kian (like the Irish name Cian) or Cyrus, although these are maybe more Persian than Arabic names for boys.

I really like Soraya for a girl, which is associated with stars.

Other boy possibilities, Kamran, but could use Cameron instead or Sam (would be pronounced differently in ME) but spelt in same way.

I live in Dubai (and all three of my kids were born here) and I would say that Noor seems to be the go-to name for western people looking to do what your sister is doing….

I think the majority of people calling it cultural appropriation are probably English not Local Arabs 😂

At least two posters have given you their perspective based on a lifetime of living within and being part of the National community and they haven’t had to refer to cultural appropriation to do it.

And people should never confuse a person being polite and replying accordingly when told a child has been given a ‘name to remind us of our time in this part of the world’ with them then walking away and being too polite to ask ‘why’.

But, I actually now think your post is a load of nonsense and going forward you’re best left ignored.

Living in the Middle East has enlightened me to how many "western" names have arabic or regional origins.
I think choosing a name that reflects the babies place of birth is lovely.
Don't listen to those who say it is offensive or will be inappropriate back in the UK.
It won't.
Nour or Fahad are not going to stand out in a UK school when there are classmates called Pocahontas and Kingdom.

I've lived in the ME for years and have also never come across anyone called Jasmine, so I'd scrap that one. I've met plenty of Yasmin/Yasmeens though.

Will people butcher Noor though? We don't tend to pause between/elongate syllables. Kid will end up more Knorr stock pot than Nou/oor.

I like Reem and Reema.

I'm a bit confused, surely if your sister lives there, and works there (teaching kids!) she'll have knowledge of Arabic names!