What is the best name for my daughter?

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

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

We make Dua Allah Ta’ala make your daughter the coolness of your eyes. Ameen. 

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has ordered us to keep good names. The name of a person influences the traits and characteristics of the person. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has mentioned:

مَنْ وُلِدَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ فَلْيُحْسِنِ اسْمَهُ وَأَدَبَهُ (البيهقي في شعب الإيمان: 8299)

Translation: Whoever is graced with a child, he should give him a beautiful name and beautify his character.

Furthermore, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has stated:

إِنَّكُمْ تُدْعَوْنَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِأَسْمَائِكُمْ، وَأَسْمَاءِ آبَائِكُمْ، فَأَحْسِنُوا أَسْمَاءَكُمْ (أبو داود: 4948)

Translation: Surely, you will be called on the Day of Judgment according to your names and your fathers’ names.  Therefore, beautify your names.

In principle, it is preferred to keep names that are mentioned by Allah Ta’āla in the Qur’an, by Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the Ahadith, and those names usually kept by righteous Muslims.  

Below are the names and their meanings:

1.     Fatimah: This was the name of the blessed daughter of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). It means a person who abstains.

2.     Umm Aiman: This was the name of the foster mother of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Aiman means lucky.

3.     Khansaa: Two Sahabiahs had this name; Khansaa Bint Khidaam and Khansaa Bint Amr. It means a white gazelle. 

4.     Barirah: The name belonged to the slave girl of Hadhrat Aisha Radhayllahu Anha who was then set free.  It means faithful, or one who is devoted to Allah Ta’ala.

5.     Tooba: The name means one who is fortunate or a person in a state of happiness.

6.     Aafiya: The name means good health, well-being, vigor, vitality.

7.     Ruhaan: We are unable to locate a meaning for this name. Perhaps you mean Raihaan (male), which means sweet basil or an aromatic plant.

8.     Hadiyah: means a gift, present, or offering/sacrifice. 

9.     Sameera: means one who entertains with lively conversation.

10. Aaira: means to be wide eyed out of seeing excess or a large amount.

The names of the Sahabiyat are the best. Hence you may opt for any of the following:

1.     Fatimah

2.     Umma Aiman

3.     Khansaa

4.     Bareerah

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Hasan Ahmed Razzak

Student – Darul Iftaa

Paterson, New Jersey, USA

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

(2021-02-24)