[I’ve asked before and am searching non-stop getting the same results, about to just give him a standard top 5 name I hate because i’m so frustrated.]
I having a horrible time trying to find a boy name for an Arab American baby that Americans won’t struggle with. Even Rami [Raah-me] I think theyd call him Ray-me or Rammy, but it would be my top choice if my son and husband both didnt already have R names. I love Laith, but don’t want to have to say: “Rhymes with faith” every time I introduce him to someone.
Rami Malek is semi-popular, so people might know the name, and Laith seems like most Americans would be able to readily pronounce it from reading it? My husband likes Rami but i really think its too similar to his, and big brother’s names. He doesnt like Laith enough to agree with me and keeps suggesting even names I [American] struggle with. I dont want to repeat and spell the kid’s name several times every time he meets someone.
VERY open to other options. Unfortunately i hate the two easiest ones, Ryan and Zane, and I don’t want a religious name either. My favorite Arab names are too hard for Americans; Ahmed, Ghassan…I’d be open to American names that the Arab side of the family would easily be able to pronounce, but we prefer Arab to keep their dad’s culture close.
Ugh sorry for the struggle. Finding names that work across cultures is so tricky.
If you love the names [name_m]Ahmed[/name_m] and Ghassan, I think you should go with one of those! It’s your baby, you should love the name you get to call him every day Other people can figure it out
And for what it’s worth, I’m not Arab but [name_m]Ahmed[/name_m] feels very recognizable to me. It’s such a great name and it’s spelled exactly how it’s pronounced, so people should not be confused! If Ghassan is pronounced like the comedian [name_m]Hasan[/name_m] Minhaj, the celebrity reference could make that pretty easy for people too.
So I think you should go with one of your faves But since you asked for suggestions, here’s my best attempt! Sorry if some of these are religious.
I feel like people would be able to say [name_m]Ahmed[/name_m] - while I can’t speak for Americans, in the UK, [name_m]Ahmed[/name_m] is fairly familiar and I think most could pronounce it Same with Ghassan - I don’t find it too difficult if that’s any reassurance.
[name_m]Laith[/name_m] is very charming and [name_m]Rami[/name_m] is lovely too.
Apologies if you’ve heard all of these before:
[name_m]Adil[/name_m]
[name_u]Hani[/name_u] (means happy which I think is cool)
Aimen/Ayman (similar enough to Aiden?)
[name_m]Haris[/name_m]
[name_m]Faris[/name_m] (similar enough to [name_m]Ferris[/name_m] and [name_u]Reese[/name_u] that it could work?)
[name_m]Juda[/name_m]
Kais (enough like [name_u]Kai[/name_u] or Caius?)
[name_m]Iskandar[/name_m]
[name_u]Amani[/name_u] (similar to Rami?)
[name_m]Khalil[/name_m]
[name_m]Mirza[/name_m]
[name_m]Safi[/name_m]
[name_u]Zaki[/name_u] (or even Zak?)
Best of luck in finding one that meets all your needs
Sounds so frustrating. I am not sure I know enough above the popularity/pronunciation of Arabic names to help, but I do think [name_m]Rami[/name_m] and [name_m]Laith[/name_m] would be pretty straightforward.
Caveat by saying don’t know much about Arabic culture but really like the the sound of [name_m]Laith[/name_m] even though it might be mispronounced a minority of times. What about [name_u]Salim[/name_u]? I have a colleague with that name and think it sounds so handsome. Also love the sound of that [name_m]Imran[/name_m] and like [name_u]Amir[/name_u]. Otherwise would you consider a name that’s basically familiar to Americans because it’s in the Old Testament such as [name_m]Adam[/name_m] (defines timeless and cross-cultural)?
I think [name_m]Rami[/name_m] is familiar enough and easy to say in the U.S., and it sounds like it’s your frontrunner except for both of you having R names, which I think is a non-issue. Go for [name_m]Rami[/name_m]!
I am in Europe. I can pronounce [name_m]Ahmed[/name_m], I feel it is intuitive too. Also it only has one spelling and is very easy to write and read, especially compared to [name_f]Everleigh[/name_f] / [name_u]Everly[/name_u] and all the other various names in US rn…
Thank you for continuing to reply even though i keep asking repeatedly I just want to be better prepared this time. [name_f]My[/name_f] daughter was born without a name
To say [name_m]Ahmed[/name_m] or Ghassan the correct way would never happen here, so I can’t. [name_m]Faris[/name_m] is one I hadn’t thought of. I think i like it!
[name_f]My[/name_f] husband likes [name_m]Adam[/name_m] and [name_u]Salim[/name_u] both but I dont want any religious names and my daughters name starts with S so I’m overthinking that part.
I do like [name_u]Salim[/name_u] and [name_u]Amir[/name_u] though. [name_m]Just[/name_m] way overthinking because i’ll have to say the name forever
You’re right these American names are getting out of hand.
I know an [name_m]Ahmed[/name_m] though and people constantly try to call him Awk-med. Id also have to get okay with them saying the H wrong which is my favorite part of the name.
I think [name_m]Ahmed[/name_m] is easy enough, people might not pronounce the H like in Arabic but should get close enough.
For Ghassan, American people will struggle to pronounce the harder gh sound, and will not know how to read it so I think [name_m]Ahmed[/name_m] is safer.
And you make a great point- there’s no 100% easy names. [name_u]Or[/name_u] 100% perfect ones that check all the boxes unfortunately.
It might help to narrow down to just 1 or 2 top priorities in a name, and decide what other attributes you’re willing to compromise on. Then your pick should be more clear.
Also fyi I’ve been thinking about [name_m]Rami[/name_m] all day today. Really sweet name!
Other people can figure it out
But since you asked for suggestions, here’s my best attempt! Sorry if some of these are religious.
Same with Ghassan - I don’t find it too difficult if that’s any reassurance.
