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Is your name haram in Saudi Arabia? Here's why the kingdom banned these baby names

Published July 27th, 2015 - 05:47 GMT

Baby names — considered one of the most important decisions in a parent’s life, the choice is under enough scrutiny. If you’re living in Saudi Arabia, achieving that family milestone just got harder.

Saudi Arabia is known for some questionable practices: public executions, a ban on women driving, and segregated gender lines for grocery shopping. But a list of banned baby names ranks high up on the list.

If you’re a parent planning on having kids anytime soon, you may want to take a look at this complete list of banned names issued in June 2014. They range from predictable (for Saudi Arabia) to just plain confusing.

Luckily we’re here to tell you the list of reasons the kingdom cites for the outlawed names. That’s not to say the bans make sense with these explanations — far from it — but at least it gives you a window into the thoughts of the monarchy.

Here’s a complete list of banned names issued last year:

Malaak

Abdul Aati

Abdul Mueen

Abdul Nabi

Abdul Naser

Abdul Musleh

Abdul Rasool

Abrar

Alice

Al-Mamlaka

Amir

Aram

Barrah

Basil

Basmala (Bismillah)

Bayan

Binyamin (Benjamin)

Elaine

Iman

Inar

Jibreel (Gabriel)

Kibrial

Lareen

Lauren

Linda

Loland

Malika

Maline

Mamlaka

Maya

Nabi

Nabiyya

Nardeen

Nareej

Naris

Rama

Randa

Rital

Sandy

Sitav

Sumuw

Tabarak

Taline

Tilaj

Yara

Wireelam

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Binyamin or Benjamin: Suffice it to say, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the most popular politician in the Middle East — and all the Benjis are suffering for it. Binyamin, Arabic for “Benjamin,” is also the name of the brother of the Israelites’ patriarch, Prophet Jacob. (AFP/File)

Binyamin or Benjamin: Suffice it to say, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the most popular politician in the Middle East — and all the Benjis are suffering for it. Binyamin, Arabic for “Benjamin,” is also the name of the brother of the Israelites’ patriarch, Prophet Jacob. (AFP/File)

Mamlaka (“kingdom”): Names with royal connotations have been banned from Saudi Arabia, maybe because the country finds the title suitable only to the royal family. Interestingly, though, names meaning “queen,” “kingdom,” “highness” and “prince” are all banned — while Malik, a common name meaning “king,” is not. (AFP/File)

Mamlaka (“kingdom”): Names with royal connotations have been banned from Saudi Arabia, maybe because the country finds the title suitable only to the royal family. Interestingly, though, names meaning “queen,” “kingdom,” “highness” and “prince” are all banned — while Malik, a common name meaning “king,” is not. (AFP/File)

Sandy: Some names are just too Western to handle. Along with Sandy, these include Linda, Alice, Elaine, and Lauren. Why this handful of names was singled out, though, and why they’re all girls’ names are a bit of a mystery. (AFP/File)

Sandy: Some names are just too Western to handle. Along with Sandy, these include Linda, Alice, Elaine, and Lauren. Why this handful of names was singled out, though, and why they’re all girls’ names are a bit of a mystery. (AFP/File)

Rama: The name of a Hindu god, Saudi Arabia says it contradicts the values of Islam and is not an acceptable name for someone born in the kingdom. Rama is most strongly associated as the seventh reincarnation of Vishnu. (AFP/Narinder Nanu)

Rama: The name of a Hindu god, Saudi Arabia says it contradicts the values of Islam and is not an acceptable name for someone born in the kingdom. Rama is most strongly associated as the seventh reincarnation of Vishnu. (AFP/Narinder Nanu)

Jibreel: This name is most known for the angel Gabriel, who came to the virgin Mary and told her she would have a son. While the name is a popular one in Muslim families, it’s probably most associated with Christianity. (AFP/File)

Jibreel: This name is most known for the angel Gabriel, who came to the virgin Mary and told her she would have a son. While the name is a popular one in Muslim families, it’s probably most associated with Christianity. (AFP/File)

Basmala (or Bismillah): Some names are not Muslim enough, while others are too Muslim. Meaning “in the name of God,” this one’s banned for its Islamic connotation. Other ironic bans include Nabi and Nabiyya (“prophet”), Malaak (“angel”), and Tabarak (“blessed”). (AFP/File)

Basmala (or Bismillah): Some names are not Muslim enough, while others are too Muslim. Meaning “in the name of God,” this one’s banned for its Islamic connotation. Other ironic bans include Nabi and Nabiyya (“prophet”), Malaak (“angel”), and Tabarak (“blessed”). (AFP/File)

Abdul: The kingdom says the name, meaning "worshipper of," should only be used to worship God. The forbidden names that include “Abdul” are Abdul Aati (“giver”), Abdul Nasser (“friend”), Abdul Mueen (“helper”), Abdul Musleh (“reformer”), Abdul Nabi (“prophet”) and Abdul Rasool (“messenger”). (AFP/Bulent Kilic)

Abdul: The kingdom says the name, meaning "worshipper of," should only be used to worship God. The forbidden names that include “Abdul” are Abdul Aati (“giver”), Abdul Nasser (“friend”), Abdul Mueen (“helper”), Abdul Musleh (“reformer”), Abdul Nabi (“prophet”) and Abdul Rasool (“messenger”). (AFP/Bulent Kilic)

Abdul Nasser: The reason behind this ban may be more political. The name of a former Egyptian president, Abdul Nasser became most strongly associated with Gamal Abdul Nasser Hussein. Animosity between him and the kingdom eventually led to the Saudi monarchy’s attempt to assassinate Abdul Nasser. (AFP/Gianluigi Guercia)

Abdul Nasser: The reason behind this ban may be more political. The name of a former Egyptian president, Abdul Nasser became most strongly associated with Gamal Abdul Nasser Hussein. Animosity between him and the kingdom eventually led to the Saudi monarchy’s attempt to assassinate Abdul Nasser. (AFP/Gianluigi Guercia)

Saudi Arabia doesn’t have a reason behind many other banned names, leaving them up for speculation. That includes Nardeen, Nareej, Yara, Iman and Basil, to name a few. (AFP/File)

Saudi Arabia doesn’t have a reason behind many other banned names, leaving them up for speculation. That includes Nardeen, Nareej, Yara, Iman and Basil, to name a few. (AFP/File)

Mystery names include Bayan, the name of a Saudi lawyer who opened the first female law firm. While her license was granted by Saudi King Abdullah himself in 2013, Bayan Mahmoud al-Zahran is listed as one of the most powerful Arab women in the world and the kingdom doesn’t have the greatest track record for supporting women’s rights. (AFP/File)

Mystery names include Bayan, the name of a Saudi lawyer who opened the first female law firm. While her license was granted by Saudi King Abdullah himself in 2013, Bayan Mahmoud al-Zahran is listed as one of the most powerful Arab women in the world and the kingdom doesn’t have the greatest track record for supporting women’s rights. (AFP/File)

Binyamin or Benjamin: Suffice it to say, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the most popular politician in the Middle East — and all the Benjis are suffering for it. Binyamin, Arabic for “Benjamin,” is also the name of the brother of the Israelites’ patriarch, Prophet Jacob. (AFP/File)
Mamlaka (“kingdom”): Names with royal connotations have been banned from Saudi Arabia, maybe because the country finds the title suitable only to the royal family. Interestingly, though, names meaning “queen,” “kingdom,” “highness” and “prince” are all banned — while Malik, a common name meaning “king,” is not. (AFP/File)
Sandy: Some names are just too Western to handle. Along with Sandy, these include Linda, Alice, Elaine, and Lauren. Why this handful of names was singled out, though, and why they’re all girls’ names are a bit of a mystery. (AFP/File)
Rama: The name of a Hindu god, Saudi Arabia says it contradicts the values of Islam and is not an acceptable name for someone born in the kingdom. Rama is most strongly associated as the seventh reincarnation of Vishnu. (AFP/Narinder Nanu)
Jibreel: This name is most known for the angel Gabriel, who came to the virgin Mary and told her she would have a son. While the name is a popular one in Muslim families, it’s probably most associated with Christianity. (AFP/File)
Basmala (or Bismillah): Some names are not Muslim enough, while others are too Muslim. Meaning “in the name of God,” this one’s banned for its Islamic connotation. Other ironic bans include Nabi and Nabiyya (“prophet”), Malaak (“angel”), and Tabarak (“blessed”). (AFP/File)
Abdul: The kingdom says the name, meaning "worshipper of," should only be used to worship God. The forbidden names that include “Abdul” are Abdul Aati (“giver”), Abdul Nasser (“friend”), Abdul Mueen (“helper”), Abdul Musleh (“reformer”), Abdul Nabi (“prophet”) and Abdul Rasool (“messenger”). (AFP/Bulent Kilic)
Abdul Nasser: The reason behind this ban may be more political. The name of a former Egyptian president, Abdul Nasser became most strongly associated with Gamal Abdul Nasser Hussein. Animosity between him and the kingdom eventually led to the Saudi monarchy’s attempt to assassinate Abdul Nasser. (AFP/Gianluigi Guercia)
Saudi Arabia doesn’t have a reason behind many other banned names, leaving them up for speculation. That includes Nardeen, Nareej, Yara, Iman and Basil, to name a few. (AFP/File)
Mystery names include Bayan, the name of a Saudi lawyer who opened the first female law firm. While her license was granted by Saudi King Abdullah himself in 2013, Bayan Mahmoud al-Zahran is listed as one of the most powerful Arab women in the world and the kingdom doesn’t have the greatest track record for supporting women’s rights. (AFP/File)
Binyamin or Benjamin: Suffice it to say, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the most popular politician in the Middle East — and all the Benjis are suffering for it. Binyamin, Arabic for “Benjamin,” is also the name of the brother of the Israelites’ patriarch, Prophet Jacob. (AFP/File)
Binyamin or Benjamin: Suffice it to say, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the most popular politician in the Middle East — and all the Benjis are suffering for it. Binyamin, Arabic for “Benjamin,” is also the name of the brother of the Israelites’ patriarch, Prophet Jacob. (AFP/File)
Mamlaka (“kingdom”): Names with royal connotations have been banned from Saudi Arabia, maybe because the country finds the title suitable only to the royal family. Interestingly, though, names meaning “queen,” “kingdom,” “highness” and “prince” are all banned — while Malik, a common name meaning “king,” is not. (AFP/File)
Mamlaka (“kingdom”): Names with royal connotations have been banned from Saudi Arabia, maybe because the country finds the title suitable only to the royal family. Interestingly, though, names meaning “queen,” “kingdom,” “highness” and “prince” are all banned — while Malik, a common name meaning “king,” is not. (AFP/File)
Sandy: Some names are just too Western to handle. Along with Sandy, these include Linda, Alice, Elaine, and Lauren. Why this handful of names was singled out, though, and why they’re all girls’ names are a bit of a mystery. (AFP/File)
Sandy: Some names are just too Western to handle. Along with Sandy, these include Linda, Alice, Elaine, and Lauren. Why this handful of names was singled out, though, and why they’re all girls’ names are a bit of a mystery. (AFP/File)
Rama: The name of a Hindu god, Saudi Arabia says it contradicts the values of Islam and is not an acceptable name for someone born in the kingdom. Rama is most strongly associated as the seventh reincarnation of Vishnu. (AFP/Narinder Nanu)
Rama: The name of a Hindu god, Saudi Arabia says it contradicts the values of Islam and is not an acceptable name for someone born in the kingdom. Rama is most strongly associated as the seventh reincarnation of Vishnu. (AFP/Narinder Nanu)
Jibreel: This name is most known for the angel Gabriel, who came to the virgin Mary and told her she would have a son. While the name is a popular one in Muslim families, it’s probably most associated with Christianity. (AFP/File)
Jibreel: This name is most known for the angel Gabriel, who came to the virgin Mary and told her she would have a son. While the name is a popular one in Muslim families, it’s probably most associated with Christianity. (AFP/File)
Basmala (or Bismillah): Some names are not Muslim enough, while others are too Muslim. Meaning “in the name of God,” this one’s banned for its Islamic connotation. Other ironic bans include Nabi and Nabiyya (“prophet”), Malaak (“angel”), and Tabarak (“blessed”). (AFP/File)
Basmala (or Bismillah): Some names are not Muslim enough, while others are too Muslim. Meaning “in the name of God,” this one’s banned for its Islamic connotation. Other ironic bans include Nabi and Nabiyya (“prophet”), Malaak (“angel”), and Tabarak (“blessed”). (AFP/File)
Abdul: The kingdom says the name, meaning "worshipper of," should only be used to worship God. The forbidden names that include “Abdul” are Abdul Aati (“giver”), Abdul Nasser (“friend”), Abdul Mueen (“helper”), Abdul Musleh (“reformer”), Abdul Nabi (“prophet”) and Abdul Rasool (“messenger”). (AFP/Bulent Kilic)
Abdul: The kingdom says the name, meaning "worshipper of," should only be used to worship God. The forbidden names that include “Abdul” are Abdul Aati (“giver”), Abdul Nasser (“friend”), Abdul Mueen (“helper”), Abdul Musleh (“reformer”), Abdul Nabi (“prophet”) and Abdul Rasool (“messenger”). (AFP/Bulent Kilic)
Abdul Nasser: The reason behind this ban may be more political. The name of a former Egyptian president, Abdul Nasser became most strongly associated with Gamal Abdul Nasser Hussein. Animosity between him and the kingdom eventually led to the Saudi monarchy’s attempt to assassinate Abdul Nasser. (AFP/Gianluigi Guercia)
Abdul Nasser: The reason behind this ban may be more political. The name of a former Egyptian president, Abdul Nasser became most strongly associated with Gamal Abdul Nasser Hussein. Animosity between him and the kingdom eventually led to the Saudi monarchy’s attempt to assassinate Abdul Nasser. (AFP/Gianluigi Guercia)
Saudi Arabia doesn’t have a reason behind many other banned names, leaving them up for speculation. That includes Nardeen, Nareej, Yara, Iman and Basil, to name a few. (AFP/File)
Saudi Arabia doesn’t have a reason behind many other banned names, leaving them up for speculation. That includes Nardeen, Nareej, Yara, Iman and Basil, to name a few. (AFP/File)
Mystery names include Bayan, the name of a Saudi lawyer who opened the first female law firm. While her license was granted by Saudi King Abdullah himself in 2013, Bayan Mahmoud al-Zahran is listed as one of the most powerful Arab women in the world and the kingdom doesn’t have the greatest track record for supporting women’s rights. (AFP/File)
Mystery names include Bayan, the name of a Saudi lawyer who opened the first female law firm. While her license was granted by Saudi King Abdullah himself in 2013, Bayan Mahmoud al-Zahran is listed as one of the most powerful Arab women in the world and the kingdom doesn’t have the greatest track record for supporting women’s rights. (AFP/File)

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