After living in the UAE for well over 11 years, I've come to notice that the Emiratis have a very specific naming system.

For example, they rarely experiment with new names, as they usually choose traditional ones that have strong religious or cultural roots.

They also like to repeat the same names from one generation to the other. It’s very common to have a son named after his grandfather, or the daughter named after her grandmother. This is very noticeable in the names of the members of the ruling families.

What is also special about Emirati names is that the sweeping majority of them come from authentic Arabic words that celebrate the beauty of the classical Arabic language. This plays an important role in preserving both identity and heritage.

So, if you ever bump into an Emirati lady or gentleman, chances are very big they will have one of these most popular Emirati names:

1. Mansour منصور

It means “the victorious one”. So when an Arab person tells you “mansour enshalla” he or she is wishing you victory and success in your endeavors… enshalla!

Famous people who carry the name: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the minister of presidential affairs.

2. Reem ريم

An elegant female name which means “gazelle”. It denotes grace and purity. Reem is widely used in Arabic poetry and is popular in other Arab countries including Syria and Jordan.

3. Rashid راشد

If your name is Rashid that means you are “rightly guiding others to everything good”. Not a bad thing if you ask us! 

Famous people with that name: Saudi singer Rashid al Majed.

4. Maryam مريم

This ancient name has many different meanings in different languages, but in Arabic it means: “the worshipper”. The English equivalent for it is Mary or Maria.

5. Sultan سلطان

This name is self explanatory. It means the sovereign or the monarch. It is derived from the word “sulta” or authority.

Famous people with the name: Sultan Pasha Al Atrash, the Syrian leader who fought against the French occupation in the mid 20s.

6. Fatima فاطمة

Another female name with strong religious roots. It means “the woman who stopped nursing her child”. There are many variations to this name such as: Fatma and Fattouma. In Egypt, the nickname for Fatima is “Batta” which means “duck”.

Famous people with that name: the Daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.

7. Khalifa خليفة

The name is an honorific title which means the “successor” or the “regent”. In Islamic history, there were 4 Khalifas or Caliphs who succeeded Prophet Muhammad after his death.

Famous people with that name: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

8. Sheikh شيخة

Another name that refers to a political or religious status - this time for a woman. It’s not uncommon to be a royal Sheikha and also be named Sheikha, just like Sheikh Mohammed’s daughter: Sheikha Sheikha Bint Mohammed Al Maktoum.

9. Majed ماجد

A pan Arab male name that means: the glorious and magnificent one. In the Emirati accent the name is pronounced “mayed” because the letter “J” turns into “y” or “e”.

Famous people with that name: Captain Majed (does that count?)

10. Shamma شمّة

Shamma is the proud and glorious one. The name derives from the word “shamam” شمم which means high status.

Famous people with that name: Emirati singer Shamma Hamdan

11. Khaled خالد

It means eternal or the thing that lasts forever. Khalid is probably one of the most popular Arabic names in general and not just in the UAE.

Famous people with that name: Khalid ibn al-Walid, an Islamic military leader and a companion of the Prophet.

12. Maitha ميثاء

Maitha is one of the more popular names for a female in the UAE. It means the fertile garden.

Famous people with that name: Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, a karate and taekwondo athlete.