Question

Salam can you please let me know if those names are okay to keep for a baby girl and which would you not recommend. And if they are Quranic names. JazakAllahu khayr.

Daniyah
Ilyana
Alaya
Ayana

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Answer

In the section below, translations of the requested names have been provided.

Some of these names have good or decent meanings, however, in honest advice I would not recommend these requested names.

Our children will be called with their names in front of Allah – we should name them in such a way that we are proud of that name and its meaning. On a more personal level, our children’s names reflect us – our identity, our values, and our priorities.

The meaning of the name, its history or the value to an individual should come first. We are working backwards if we find a “unique name” and then try to superimpose a good meaning or value onto it by looking online.

Naming a child is a difficult decision for most parents so seek the advice of your elders and religious folk. May Allah make it easy for you.

Daniyah

This word is repeated in the Qur’an a few times.

In Q. 6:99, Allah says:  وَمِنَ ٱلنَّخۡلِ مِن طَلۡعِهَا قِنۡوَانٞ ‌دَانِيَةٞ  and from palm trees come clusters of dates hanging within reach.

In Q. 69:22-23, Allah says: فِي جَنَّةٍ عَالِيَة (٢٢) قُطُوفُهَا ‌دَانِيَةٞ (٢٣)  ; in an elevated harden, whose fruit will hang within reach.

This word means for something to be low, near, hanging within reach.

Ilyana

This word is spelt اليانة. It means soft, gentle.

Alaya

The word علاية means a high place.

Ayana

This word has also been difficult to locate.

‘Iyana (عيانة with a kasra on ‘ayn) refers to eye witnessing.

‘Ayyana (عَيَّانة with an ‘ayn and shadda) as a descriptive word, refers to someone with the evil eye. Thus, امرأة عَيَّانة  means a woman who smiles vehemently with the evil eye.

I have seen various strange meanings online for this word like “gift of God” but this has not been verified according to any reputable dictionary of Arabic. It is possible that this name has a good meaning in another language other than Arabic.

Answered by:
Maulana Ikramul Hoque Miah

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel