This is a question for Arabs in this forum especially, but also others. My husband and I are trying to choose a good name for our baby yet to be born. If it's a girl we're fine insha'Allah, but boys names are a problem because of our mother tongues and cultures. Even though I know in Islam a good meaning of a name is more important than whether it's an Arab name, I would not like to constantly explain to people why we chose a "non-Muslim" (ie non-Arabic) name for our child.

 

I found on a number of Muslim names lists the name Tobias, and I really like it. But I've never met a Muslim with that name. Also, some of the other names on those lists sounded very Christian Arab, eg Boutros and Boulos. Would anyone be able to tell me whether Tobias is a name that is used by Muslims in the Arab world (or other Muslim countries)?

 

Another name I also like is Samuel. I've heard the equivalent in Arabic is Shammil, but again I'm wondering if this is a name used mostly by Arab Christians. Any thoughts? Jazak'Allah!