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Re: Choosing an Arabic name for yourself
Although my family aren't practicing muslims in the slightest, I already have an Arabic / Persian name (Soraya). Razia is very nice, and I currently really like Layali, which is uncommon and a nice alternative to the frankly horribly overused Layla, Leila etc. I was nearly an Isra or an Alina (which works in most cultures), but of those I find Isra the nicest. I really like Sahar, too. I also like Ayda, Tahani or Tahiyat, Farah, Nur, Ruya, Sa'ida, Samar, Safiya, Samiya, Sanya, Tahira, Zahira and Zahrah. Hala is pretty too. That said, I know a few people named Hala, one of whom is a young British muslim a few years younger than me, who was teased horribly at school because some malicious kiddie somehow came up with the nickname Halal, just for her (completely different word to Hala, but it makes no difference to most people). I already have an Arabic name, so there's no real point in me replying, but I was curious... in any case, all of the above are in the running for any future daughter I may have, with the exception of Tahani and Tahiyat, which are too out-there, I feel, and possibly Ruya. I might ask my boyfriend what he'd pick if he took an Arabic name, but since my family's not big on religion or any of that kind of thing, and he's a hardcore atheist, I can't ever see that being anything more than a theoretical conversation just to wind him up :P
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