375 Malay Baby Names From The Vibrant Archipelago

Malaysia is the perfect combination of old and new; these Malay names are the same too.

Written by Kavita Kankani, MBA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 7 years

Kavita has a diverse background in finance, human resources, and teaching. She did her MBA in Finance and HR at Solapur University, and bachelor in Education at Pune University. After working for three years in the banking industry, Kavita took up teaching before moving to writing.

Read full bio of Kavita Kankani

Edited by Akshay Nair, MA Specialty: Love, Marriage, RelationshipsExperience: 4.5 years

Akshay is an associate editor and former journalist with more than four years of experience. A post graduate in Mass Communication and Journalism, he has strong professional and academic background in the field of content writing and editing.

Read full bio of Akshay Nair

Fact-checked by N Pravenchandra Singh, MA Specialty: Literature and RelationshipsExperience: 2 years

Praven is an English literature expert. He did his bachelors in English from Delhi University and masters in English from Manipur University. Besides, he holds a certificate in multimedia design and content creation from NIELIT Imphal and presented papers at various national and international conferences.

Read full bio of N Pravenchandra Singh

Last Updated on Nov 12, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Whether you’re looking for a Malay name that’s easy to pronounce or something that’s cool and edgy, we’ll help you find what you are looking for. Just keep reading. Most of the Malay baby names are drawn from the Arabic language, but names with Sanskrit, Javanese, and Malay origin are also common. Chinese Malaysians prefer sticking to their culture and pick traditional Chinese names. These names have three words, in which the first name is Chinese family name, and the other two parts form the indivisible Chinese given name. A Malay baby name consists of a personal name, which is used in the day-to-day circumstances, and a patronym. Malay people do not use the family name. The patronym for men includes the Arabic word ‘bin’, which means ‘son of’, followed by the personal name of the father. For the women, the patronym consists of the Arabic word ‘binti’, which means ‘daughter of’, followed by the father’s name. Malay women are not required to change their surnames, as done in some cultures. Addenda, the practice of using two names, is also common among Malay people. The common addenda in male names are Muhammad, Mat, Abdul and Ahmed. And the common addenda in female Malay names are Noor and Siti.

Malay baby names usually have roots embedded in the rich Malaysian culture and heritage. They exude strength, faith and a soothing sound, all while carrying forward the language's essence and cultural legacy. Choosing a Malay name for your baby is a celebration of their history, and a pathway to understand the language’s influence on this vibrant culture and identity. And to aid you in selecting the right name for your little one, we have prepared this comprehensive list of names and their meanings. Give them a thorough read, and we hope they help you find the perfect name for your little one.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Omar	Boy	Flourishing; Long-lived; Wealthy; Famous; Eloquent; Gifted
Muhammad	Boy	Praiseworthy; Praised one; Praise; Commendable
Malaysia	Girl	To run; To go fast
Ahmad	Boy	Much praised; Most commendable
Kamilah	Girl	Flawlessness; Perfection
Imran	Boy	Exalted nation
Ismail	Unisex	God listens
Zarah	Girl	Shining; Brilliant; Bright; Dawning; Shining; A speck
Farah	Girl	Happiness
Khadijah	Girl	Premature child

Zakaria	Boy	Yahweh remembers
Said	Boy	Happy; Lucky
Sulaiman	Boy	Peace
Alias	Unisex	My God is Yahweh
Azlan	Unisex	Lion
Azari	Girl	Virgin; Maiden; God has helped; Shining; Bright
Asiyah	Girl	Grieved; Distressed; Caring one
Safwan	Boy	Stone; Rock; Pure
Hamzah	Boy	Strong; Steadfast; Lion
Harun	Boy	Lofty; Exalted

Hashim	Boy	Crusher of evil; Breaker of bread
Saad	Boy	Fortune; Good luck; Happiness
Samirah	Girl	Companion in evening talk; Wind; Air
Zarina	Unisex	Golden; Gold; Empress
Jamilah	Girl	Beautiful
Razan	Girl	Vineyard; Harmony; Calm
Faisal	Boy	Judge; Arbiter; Separator between good and bad
Samiah	Unisex	Elevated; Sublime; Supreme
Maliki	Boy	God's messenger; King
Ashar	Boy	Alarm; Notify; Advise; Observe; Brave

Zakiyah	Girl	Pure
Jalani	Unisex	Strong; Powerful; To live
Zunairah	Unisex	Moonlight; Shine of the moon
Sharif	Boy	Honest; Noble; Distinguished; Noble; Honorable
Danial	Boy	God is my judge
Emran	Boy	Exalted nation
Yazid	Boy	God will increase; To add
Alyas	Unisex	My God is Yahweh
Syair	Unisex	Poetry; Verse
Asiah	Girl	Grieved; Distressed

Mohsin	Boy	Beneficient
Rima	Girl	White antelope; Advantage; Flax; To calm down; To quieten; Beloved; Goddess Durga
Khairi	Boy	Goodness; Member of the warrior class
Rahman	Boy	Gracious; Merciful; Lord
Aishah	Girl	Living; Alive
Raffi	Boy	God heals; Noble; Exalter
Sufian	Boy	Wool; Pure; Clean; Slim; Thin
Raihan	Boy	Pleasant smell; Basil
Salahuddin	Boy	Righteousness of religion
Zaim	Boy	Leader; Chief; General

Naimah	Girl	Pleasantness; Tranquil; Happy; At ease
Yazeed	Boy	He who makes progress; Increasing; Adding
Abdulmalik	Boy	King's servant
Arshad	Boy	Rightly guided; More mature; More sensible
Azhaan	Unisex	Call to prayer; Intellects; Wits
Aidah	Girl	Guest; The one who's returning; Moon
Jabar	Boy	Powerful
Kassim	Boy	One who divides goods among his people
Amri	Boy	My command; One who enlivens a place; One who lives a long life
Sidratul	Girl	Cedar of the farthest point

Haziq	Boy	Skillful; Intelligent; Capable
Saniah	Girl	Second child; Brilliant; Splendid
Mujahid	Unisex	To strive in the cause of God; Doers of Jihad; Toiler; Laborer
Jalilah	Girl	Great; Exalted; Important
Ryn	Boy	A person who is a ruler
Adeeb	Boy	Educated; Scholarly; Courteous
Alija	Boy	Lofty; Sublime; To be high
Abdulsamad	Boy	Servant of the eternal
Shamsuddin	Boy	Sun of the religion; Sun of the faith
Minah	Girl	Will; Helmet; Protection; Security

Zainah	Unisex	Beauty; Grace
Ramla	Girl	Sand; Grain of sand
Suhailah	Girl	Level; Even; A bright star
Zulaikha	Girl	Brilliant beauty; Bright and fair
Jaafar	Boy	Stream
Hazem	Boy	Firm; Steadfast; Resolute; Stern
Hamdaan	Boy	The praised one; To praise
Iskander	Boy	Defending men
Tasmia	Girl	To mention the name of Allah; Giving name
Zahirah	Girl	Shining; Brilliant; Helper; Supporter

Shalika	Girl	Flute; A weaver
Nasib	Boy	Noble; Destiny; Fate; Share; One's share in life
Sofian	Boy	Wool; Pure; Clean; Thin; Slim
Abdulmajid	Boy	Servant of the glorious
Abdulmajeed	Boy	Servant of the glorious
Nadirah	Girl	Rare; Scarce; Precious
Alif	Boy	Friend; Associate; Kind
Rahmah	Girl	Mercy; Compassion
Sakinah	Girl	Tranquility; Peace of mind
Zuha	Girl	Forenoon; Sacrifice; Immolate

Iskandar	Boy	Defending men; Defender of mankind
Atiyah	Girl	Gift; Present; Favor; Benefit; Boon
Laki	Unisex	Lucky; Fortunate
Mahadi	Boy	Guided one
Oman	Boy	Friend; Helper; Protector; To settle or swell
Ridhwan	Boy	Satisfaction; Contentment
Saleha	Girl	Virtuous
Rashidi	Boy	Rightly guided; Well-guided; Name of a dynasty
Zulqarnain	Boy	Possessor of the two horns
Izzah	Unisex	Powerful

1 2 3 4 »

This post on Malay baby names with meaning provides a glimpse into the cultural prospects of this indigenous group, showcasing their traditions and beliefs. These names not only highlight the linguistic beauty of Malaysian culture but also share its values and aspirations. With the help of this list of names, we hope you can embrace this culture's linguistic beauty, respect their beliefs and honor their heritage as you pick the perfect name for your little one.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the naming conventions or restrictions in Malaysia?

Naming conventions in Malaysia adhere to a distinct structure, combining a given or personal name, a patronymic noun (bin for males and binte for females), and the father's given name. So, unlike Western countries, Malay names do not have family names (1). These conventions represent familial ties and are essential to Malaysian naming customs and traditions.

2. How have Malaysian baby names changed over time?

Malaysian baby names have transformed over time, witnessing a decline in the popularity of traditional Malay names, particularly in urban areas. Although these names continue to thrive in rural regions, there has been a noticeable shift towards embracing a broader spectrum of naming influences across Malaysia.

3. How do Malaysian parents incorporate their religious beliefs into their baby name choices?

Malaysian parents integrate their religious convictions into the selection of baby names by choosing names with profound religious and spiritual significance. Popular among Muslims are names like Muhammad, which means 'praised,' Fatimah, denoting 'one who abstains,' and Aisha, symbolizing 'alive.' On the other hand, Hindu parents often embrace titles derived from Hindu scriptures, gods, and goddesses like Laksmi and Shiva. Likewise, Christians may choose names with biblical origins, such as John, Peter, and Isabelle.

4. What are some Malaysian baby names meaning or signifying luck?

Su'ud, signifying 'luck,' Su'ad, meaning 'happiness' or 'luck,' and Sa'adah, representing 'luck' or 'happiness,' are some Malaysian baby names that symbolize luck or good fortune.

5. What are some popular baby names in Malaysia?

Abdul, which signifies 'servant of the powerful,' Ibrahim, a beautiful variation of Abraham, and Ruslan, derived from the enchanting name Yeruslan are some popular baby boy names in Malaysia. Aishah, meaning 'living,' Alya, translating to 'sky' or heaven,' and Siti, the Malay form of Sita, are some common baby girl names in Malaysia.

Infographic: Magnificent Malay Baby Names With Meanings

Malay baby names draw inspiration from various languages and cultures, including Sanskrit, Arabic, and Japanese. These names consist of two parts, namely, a personal name and a patronym. Explore the origins and significance of some distinct Malay names in this infographic. Give it a thorough read, and we are sure it will help you choose a name that resonates well with your beliefs and values.

mesmerizing malay baby names for your bundle of joy (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

FAQS.
https://www.kln.gov.my/web/nzl_wellington/faqs

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.