Can I name my daughter Aira/ Ayra?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Respected Brother,

Naming one’s child with an appropriate name is the right of a child upon their parent.  The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said in a Hadith:

عن أبي الدَّرداء، قال: قال رسولُ الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم-: "إنّكم تُدعَوْنَ يومَ القيامَةِ باسمائِكُم وأسماءِ آبائكُم، فاحسِنُوا أسماءكم" (سنن أبي داود ت الأرنؤوط (7/303)^[1]

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Darda (Radhiyallahu Anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said “Indeed, on the Day of Judgment you will be called by your names and the names of your fathers.  Therefore, give yourselves good names.”

The importance of a good name can also be observed in the fact that, on more than one occasion, the Prophet (s.a.w.) changed the name of a few Companions after learning that they had a distasteful name. 

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ غَيَّرَ اسْمَ عَاصِيَةَ وَقَالَ: «أَنْتِ جَمِيلَةُ» صحيح مسلم (3/ 1686)^[2]

Translation: Hadhrat Ibn Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) changed the name of 'Aasiya’ and said “you are Jameela”.

Based on these few points, the general principle regarding names is that we should be particular in selecting a good name for our children. Preferably one should choose names of Ambiya, Sahaba and other pious and righteous servants of Allah Ta’ala. However, one may also choose a name with a good meaning. As long as the name does not have a negative meaning or a meaning that is contrary to the teachings of Islam, then choosing such a name will be permissible, be it an Arabic name or a non-Arabic name.

With regard to the name ‘Aira/Ayra, we are unable to find the suitable meaning of the name in Arabic books. Furthermore, the name Aira is said to be of Sanskrit origin and has links to a certain goddess. Hence, we advise against keeping such a name.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Abdullah Noorgat

Student Darul Ifta

South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

^[1] سنن أبي داود ت الأرنؤوط (7/ 303)

حدَّثنا عمرو بن عون، أخبرنا. وحدَّثنا مُسدَّدٌ، حدَّثنا هُشيم، عن داود بن عَمرو، عن عبد الله بن أبي زكريا عن أبي الدَّرداء، قال: قال رسولُ الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم-: "إنّكم تُدعَوْنَ يومَ القيامَةِ باسمائِكُم وأسماءِ آبائكُم، فاحسِنُوا أسماءكم"

مسند أحمد مخرجا (36/ 23)

حَدَّثَنَا عَفَّانُ، حَدَّثَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا دَاوُدُ بْنُ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي زَكَرِيَّا الْخُزَاعِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّكُمْ تُدْعَوْنَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِأَسْمَائِكُمْ وَأَسْمَاءِ آبَائِكُمْ، فَأَحْسِنُوا أَسْمَاءَكُمْ»

^[2]صحيح مسلم (3/ 1686)

 (2139) حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَنْبَلٍ، وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَعُبَيْدُ اللهِ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالُوا: حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللهِ، أَخْبَرَنِي نَافِعٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ غَيَّرَ اسْمَ عَاصِيَةَ وَقَالَ: «أَنْتِ جَمِيلَةُ»