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Alif

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Unisex

Meaning

First letter; Friendly

Linguistic Origin

Arabic

Islamic Classification

General Muslim usage

Regional Usage

Worldwide Muslim usage

Global Spellings

Arabic ุฃู„ูŠู
Urdu ุงู„ู
Persian ุงู„ู
Turkish Elif
Bengali เฆ†เฆฒเฆฟเฆซ
Pashto ุงู„ู
Alif is a versatile and harmonious name suitable for both boys and girls. The name holds the profound meaning of 'First letter; Friendly', reflecting qualities that parents often wish to bestow upon their child.

While popular in Arabic regions, Alif has a modern appeal that transcends borders. It is an excellent choice for a modern Muslim family honoring tradition.

Alif is the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, and one of the "muqatta'at," the mysterious disjointed letters that open several surahs of the Quran, such as Alif-Lam-Mim (2:1).

Reference Profile

Etymology

The name of the first letter of the Arabic alphabet.

Notable Historical Usage

Arabic builds its vocabulary on consonantal roots, usually of three letters, poured into fixed patterns: one root yields the verb, the doer, the thing done and the place it happens. Names are drawn straight from that system, which is why a single root can stand behind a whole family of related names that look and sound like kin.

Cultural / Regional Usage

Used across the Muslim world.