Prohibited Names, Non-muslim Names, Reason with names, Slave Names Arabic

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Prohibited Names

Hadith - Bukhari 1:110, Narrated Abu Huraira   
The Prophet   said, "Name yourselves with my name (use my name) but do not name yourselves with my Kunya name (i.e. Abul Qasim)...."

Hadith - Muslim 5331, Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah   
Allah's Messenger   decided to forbid (his followers) to name persons as Ya'la (Elevated), Barakah (Blessing), Aflah (Successful), Yasar and Nafi', but I saw that he kept silent after that and he did not say anything until Allah's Messenger   died. And he did not forbid (his followers to do this), then Umar decided to prohibit (people) from giving these names, but later on gave up the idea.

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Changing to a Better Name

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #4774, Narrated 'Aisha 

The Prophet   used to change a bad name.

Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 8.212, Narrated Abu Huraira 

Zainab's original name was "Barrah," but it was said, "By that she is giving herself the prestige of piety." So the Prophet   changed her name to Zainab.

Hadith - Dawud, Narrated AbuWahb, Hazn ibn AbuWahb

The Prophet   asked: What is your name?
He replied: Hazn (rugged).
He said: You are Sahl (smooth).
He said: No, smooth is trodden upon and disgraced.
Sa'id said: I then thought that ruggedness would remain among us after it.

     AbuDawud said: The Prophet   changed the names al-'As, Aziz, Atalah, Shaytan, al-Hakam, Ghurab, Hubab, and Shihab and called him Hisham. He changed the name Harb (war) and called him Silm (peace). He changed the name al-Munba'ith (one who lies) and called him al-Mudtaji' (one who stands up). He changed the name of a land Afrah (barren) and called it Khadrah (green). He changed the name Shi'b ad-Dalalah (the mountain path of a stray), the name of a mountain path and called it Shi'b al-Huda (mountain path of guidance). He changed the name Banu az-Zinyah (children of fornication) and called them Banu ar-Rushdah (children of those who are on the right path), and changed the name Banu Mughwiyah (children of a woman who allures and goes astray), and called them Banu Rushdah (children of a woman who is on the right path). AbuDawud said: I omitted the chains of these for the sake of brevity.

Hadith (agreed upon)

The Prophet   said, "Whoever shuns my Sunnah is never of me."

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 8.212, Narrated Abu Huraira,  .

Zainab's original name was "Barrah," but it was said, "By that she is giving herself the prestige of piety." So the Prophet changed her name to Zainab.

Abu

It is common for muslim fathers to be referred to as "Abu" plus the first name of their son.  For example, Abu Turab literally means "Father of Turab."

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 8.223, Narrated Sahl bin Sad 

The most beloved names to 'Ali was Abu Turab, and he used to be pleased when we called him by it, for none named him Abu Turab (for the first time), but the Prophet  . Once 'Ali got angry with (his wife) Fatima, and went out (of his house) and slept near a wall in the mosque. The Prophet   came searching for him, and someone said, "He is there, lying near the wall." The Prophet   came to him while his ('Ali's) back was covered with dust. The Prophet   started removing the dust from his back, saying, "Get up, O Abu Turab!"

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Naming after a Prophet

Hadith - Sahih Al-Bukhari 8.218, Narrated Abu Musa 

I got a son and I took him to the Prophet   who named him Ibrahim, and put in his mouth the juice of a date fruit (which be himself had chewed, and invoked for Allah's blessing upon him, and then gave him back to me. He was the eldest son of Abu Musa.


Hadith - Abu Dawood, Narrated AbuWahb al-Jushami 

The Prophet  : Call yourselves by the names of the Prophets. The names dearest to Allah are Abdullah and AbdurRahman, the truest are Harith and Hammam, and the worst are Harb and Murrah.