Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
From what I understand, Aadam is the Arabic version of Adam, Nooh is the Arabic version of Noah, and we're referring to the same person. So should it really make a difference if we choose to name our child say Noah instead of Nooh?
Then you have so many urdu/Persian/Arabic names that have no religious significance whatsoever, would it be wrong to keep those names...such as Mehek and Meher and Qurat ul Ain and Mehvish and etc etc...
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
they say keep a good name with a good meaning ... that is the emphasis ... or is it clearly mentioned that no it must be of either arabic, persian or urdu origin? plus there are so many names that are universal ... like sarah ... farrah ... yasmin (jasmin ... e.g. countries where the J is pronounced as Y) .. what about these?
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
From what I understand, Aadam is the Arabic version of Adam, Nooh is the Arabic version of Noah, and we're referring to the same person. So should it really make a difference if we choose to name our child say Noah instead of Nooh?
Then you have so many urdu/Persian/Arabic names that have no religious significance whatsoever, would it be wrong to keep those names...such as Mehek and Meher and Qurat ul Ain and Mehvish and etc etc...
I think names with no religious significance have no bearing as to what is considered Muslim or not. As long as the name is not blatantly against Islam, it's fine. I just think as far as naming a child after a religious figure is concerned, you should opt for the name that is associated with your religion.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
^ but what if you are a non-Arab muslim? for eg: Maryam is the Arab version of Mary, right? if you don't speak Arabic and that is not your culture, why would you name your child Maryam? maybe Mary is associated with your religion for you if you are a non-Arab muslim, like say, if you are of European descent and don't speak Arabic but are still a muslim.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
^ Maria ... very universal
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
Prophet names and names of religious significance have absolutely nothing to do with being Arab or not. As I said, the Prophet names mentioned in the Quran are known in the entire Muslim world whether you're Turkish, Indonesian, Pakistani or African American. Even if you are a Muslim of European descent, chances are you've read the Quran and you know exactly what these names are. Lots of Muslims don't know Arabic, yet are fully aware of the names of the Prophet and know exactly how to pronounce them.
Again, these names have nothing to do with culture. They are of religious significance. That's why Muslim converts of European descent and North American descent refer to the Prophets by the names as mentioned in the Quran as opposed to the Bibilical version. Also, in my view I would never choose a Biblical version when there is clearly a version of the name in your own religion.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
^ but what if you are a non-Arab muslim? for eg: Maryam is the Arab version of Mary, right? if you don't speak Arabic and that is not your culture, why would you name your child Maryam? maybe Mary is associated with your religion for you if you are a non-Arab muslim, like say, if you are of European descent and don't speak Arabic but are still a muslim.
SGC I agree with the cherryontop. I know many converts that A. Either kept their birth name or B. If there was the Islamic Name of the same kind, they would change it to that (for example, my husband's friend changed his name from Michael to Mikhail). It doesn't really matter if the name is Arab or not, it is just known as being Muslim.
To each their own, but I would want my child to have a Muslim name because I want other people to identify him/her as a Muslim.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
I agree with Afshi.
My family has been settled in North America since 1965 and the whole name issue and "fitting in" has come up several times.
The vast majority of the times we have agreed upon names that are easily pronounced but distinctly recognized as belonging to the Islamic faith.
It has always been a priority to select a Muslim name rather than one that people can pronounce or understand. And yes......my family is as mixed up as it can be with representation from Phillippines, Poland, French Canadians, India, Pakistan, etc. etc.
Gabriel is a lovely name.......as is Noah. Would I name my child these? No. Absolutely not.
Why? Because if these names were to stand alone then it is more likely than not to be assumed that the owners of these names are not Muslim. It is more likely to be assumed that the person named Noah belongs to the Jewish faith.
It has been said that you should select an honorable name that reflects your Muslim identity. That is the only rule that we try to follow.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
Nicely said...Muzna.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
fair enough, Muzna- this is one thing we'll have to agree to disagree on.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
I think there's a lot to be said when naming a child a religous name, it almost questions the child to find out more about the history of the name, we named my nephew Ibrahim, although he is still young, his face lights up whenever durood is said in the house, and even at a very young age he knows his name is very special to his cousin's (who have non religious names)
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
why are pre islamic persian names kosher,
jamshed, sikander, jahangeer.
culture schmulture, name your kid what you want
people had names like omar, khalid, etc prior to islam as well
does not make them 'muslim' names.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
We'r based in the UK since 1950's and my grandparents gave Islamic names to their children.
So did my parents, we have Alhumdulilah Muslim/Islamic names... And InshAllah i plan on giving my Children Islamic names!
I agree with Muzna and some other people here, it's is our identity. And Alhumdulilah people in the west do pronounce them well too, its just that you have to correct them a few times and voila ur friends do pronounce ur names correctly!
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
why are pre islamic persian names kosher, jamshed, sikander, jahangeer. culture schmulture, name your kid what you want people had names like omar, khalid, etc prior to islam as well does not make them 'muslim' names.
Its basically all about identifying with your culture and heritage, no one is strictly talking Islam. I'd rather give my child an Urdu name than a German one. I'm not thinking only religion here.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
There is no such thing as Islamic Names.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
those names won't make you look any less desi..
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the “English” form of it
perhaps your right, but an Islamically acceptable name is probably still best…
What on earth was going on in some peoples heads when they name thier children after everything from the Devil to a brand of toilet maker… 
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
Im not sure about the whole naming thing...will cross that bridge when I get there.
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
Muzna, I have done the opposite in order to fit in! I really am a confused desi
Re: naming after a Prophet, but the "English" form of it
SGC and Pink'd Out.........to each his/her own. I still say follow your heart in these matters. What you may deem as a completely valid reason for doing something, I may see as a cop-out excuse; this doesn't make either you or me wrong.
At the end of the day no parent will ever do anything to cause their child harm. We all want the best for our kids, no doubt about that.
My choices are influenced by my experiences. I had the toughest name to pronounce in grade school. Heck, I still have the toughest name to pronounce when I deal with some of my clients......I don't really care because at the end of the day I enjoy being unique. I think it gives me an edge.
I sometimes regret agreeing to have "Noor" as my daughter's first name rather than "Onaysa" as I was originally insisting eight years ago. There are so many Noors.....but very few Onaysas.
And ultimately I keep in mind that on that final day of judgement my child will be called out by the name that we have chosen.....and I want no confusion about her faith at that time. LOL.