Choosing a name for your new baby can be a challenging process. Do you want a name that’s old and traditional? Or perhaps a more modern name that sounds cool and edgy? Or maybe you just want something completely unique and out of this world?
In any case, it’s important to think carefully before choosing a name. If you’re not sure what to pick, it might help to look at some of the meanings behind the names as well as how easy they are to spell or pronounce.
Typical Malay names don’t use the family name. Instead, they will have a patronym such as ‘bin’ or ‘binti’, which means ‘son of’ or ‘daughter of’, followed by the father’s name.
A number of Malays also use a second name – a practice known as Addenda. Such names include examples such as Muhammad, Mat, Abdul, and Ahmed for boys or Noor and Siti for girls.
To help you choose the best name possible for your child, we’ve put together a list of the top 100 Malay boy names as well as a list of the top 100 Malay girl names.
Name | Meaning |
Aaaqil | One who is wise and intelligent. |
Aadam | Malay version of Adam, meaning ‘father of mankind’. |
Aafaaq | Horizons |
Aati | The one who is generous. |
Aayiz | Replacement, something given to you in place of something you have lost. |
Adiputera | First son or first prince. |
Afan | Growth and progress |
Afsah | An eloquent man. |
Ahkam | One who is extremely wise, decisive, and just. |
Ajiad | One who is noble, generous and gracious. |
Aqsad | Achiever, goal-setter |
Arhaa | Calm or serene. |
Aswab | The one who is best. |
Atheer | The light reflected from a sword’s blade, or a person of high status and good qualities. |
Awang | The eldest son |
Ayyash | Long lived |
Barzin | Name of a character in Shahnameh. |
Bintang | Star |
Bisaam | One who is always smiling. |
Budiharto | One who is wise with the wealth. |
Bujang | Bachelor |
Fehmeed | One who is wise and intelligent. |
Fuaad | Heart or conscience. |
Ghazaar | Etiquette, or manners |
Hadees | Speech or dialogue of the almighty. |
Haissam | A sharp sword. |
Haruun | Warrior lion |
Hatar | Falcon or eagle. |
Hazer | Ready or prepared. |
Idrak | To comprehend, or to understand. |
Iesa | Name of a Muslim prophet. |
Iffaan | Time, season or weather. |
Imen | Faith or belief |
Ishraaq | Sunrise, or daybreak, A variant of Ishraq. |
Ishraq | Sunrise or day break. |
Ishtiqal | Independence, or sovereignty |
Istiqlal | Sovereignty, or independence. A variant of Ishtiqal. |
Iyaan | Time, era, epoch. |
Izz | This name symbolizes honor, glory and power. |
Jebat | Malay word for musk. |
Johan | German variation oh john meaning God is kind and gracious,skilled or champion. |
Junada | Helper, warrior or soldier. |
Kechik | Small or little |
Khajeer | Beauty and elegance. |
Khilaal | Friendship, companionship. |
Maymuun | One who is blessed, thriving, prosperous. |
Megat | Malay word meaning great. |
Mishkat | A shelf to put the lanterns on. |
Mizn | White cloud, or rain-bearing cloud |
Muda | A young boy. |
Mudassir | Clothed, or enveloped in garments. |
Musawwir | Designer, creator of forms. |
Muzakir | One who reminds people of Allah. |
Muzn | A variant of Mizn, meaning white cloud. |
Nijat | Salvation, or success |
Panjang | Malay word, meaning long. |
Perwira | Hero or officer. |
Putera | Son or prince |
Qawi | One who is strong, powerful, and firm. |
Qazzafi | Wide, spacious, extensive. |
Raahim | One who is compassionate, kind and merciful. |
Rafa’ah | High |
Reehab | Vastness or wideness. |
Reheeq | One who is smart, handsome or elegant. |
Ruwayfi | High status, or exalted |
Sabit | Firmly in place, or unshakeable. |
Sabtu | Malay word for Saturday. |
Samroze | A fruitful tree |
Samsam | A sharp sword |
Sannan | A daring person, one who is fearless and dauntless. |
Saqabat | One who is in perfect health. |
Sayfudin | The sword of Faith |
Selasa | Malay word for Tuesday. |
Senin | Malay word for Monday. |
Sibbt | Grand child |
Sineen | One who is beautiful and radiant. |
Slamet | Peace and security |
Sulung | First or eldest. |
Taish | Moderation |
Taseen | Acclaim or appreciation. |
Tenuk | Tapir |
Teruna | One who is youthful |
Tuah | Luck or fortune |
Usama | Lion, one who is as brave as lion. |
Waase | One of the attributes of Allah. |
Wadd | One of the five idols worshiped by Noah’s people. |
Wadood | Lover or friend. |
Waliyudeen | Supporter of the Faith. |
Wasfi | One who is worthy of praise, and worthy of speaking about. |
Wathiq | One who is sure and certain. |
Wifaq | Harmony, unity, amiability. |
Yaqeen | Certainty, or lack of doubt |
Zaafer | Helper, or assistant |
Zahabia | Golden, or made of gold. |
Zaka | Sagacity, honesty, or intelligence. |
Zakawat | Intelligence, or sharp mindedness |
Zayana | One who adorns and beautifies something, adorner. |
Zikri | Remembrance |
Zuljalal | One who is blessed with might and glory. |
Zulkifl | Name of one of the prophets mentioned in the Quran. |