Can non-Malay people use Malay baby girl names?

Using a Malay baby girls name is open to all, irrespective of ethnicity. Prioritizing research into meanings and cultural connections is vital to select a name you and your child will value and honor. Examples of some remarkable multicultural titles from Malay culture include Nur, symbolizing light, Melati, representing the graceful jasmine flower, Zarina, capturing the essence of golden, Kasih, embodying the essence of love, and Fatimah, signifying to abstain.

What are some naming traditions or customs in Malay culture?

In Malay cultures, names bear profound significance and are thoughtfully selected, comprising three components: a given name, a patronymic noun, and the fathers given name. So if a baby girl is named Asiya binte Musa, Asiya represents the given name, Musa denotes the fathers name, and binte serves as the patronymic noun, conveying daughter of. Unlike Western traditions, the concept of family names is absent, and the fathers name is appended as the final element (1).

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7 Malay Girl Names with Meanings, Starting With N

Written by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Edited by Siddharth Kesiraju, MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 7 years

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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Last Updated on Oct 3, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Name	Gender	Meaning
Naimah	Girl	Pleasantness; Tranquil; Happy; At ease
Nadirah	Girl	Rare; Scarce; Precious
Nabilah	Girl	Noble
Najibah	Girl	Highborn; Excellent; Outstanding; Noble; Distinguished
Nurin	Girl	Light
Nurain	Unisex	Light and eye
Nawa	Unisex	Nine; New