The Ruling on Choosing Unusual and Disliked Names for Children

Question:
The questioner, Abdulaziz, says: Some people, Honorable Shaykh, choose unusual and unknown names for their sons and daughters. What do you advise those who choose such names? And what is obligatory upon them? May you be rewarded.

Answer:
It is the right of the newborn upon his father to choose for him a good name. The best of names, as is authentic in the hadith are 'Abd al-'Aziz, 'Abd al-Karim, 'Abd Allah, 'Abd al-Rahman, and 'Abd al-Rahim. These are the best of names: 'Abd Allah and 'Abd al-Rahman. It is not permissible to name his son with a name that implies worshipping other than Allah, such as 'Abd al-Husayn, 'Abd al-Amir, 'Abd al-'Azah, 'Abd al-Lat, 'Abd al-Shams, or the like. This is prohibited and is haram (forbidden). Likewise, disliked names are those that cause aversion in the listener, such as 'Uqlamah, Marrah, and Hanzalah, or the like. It is disliked to name one's son with such names. Choose a good name, for a good name has an effect on the one named. This is part of the newborn's right upon his father. It is better to name with the family names, to name one's children with the family names, because this binds the family members to one another. As for foreign names and the names of disbelievers, it is disliked to name with them. Yes.