Baby Care - Baby Name - Baby r us - Baby Furniture

The initial years of a child are the formative one, which form the basis for his future development. It is necessary for parents to ensure that their child gets the maximum opportunities for learning and progressing. One of the main instruments that help parents further development of their child comprise of toys. A toy can help in the growth of social, motor, perceptive and sensory skills of a baby. Therefore, it is very essential for the parents to take proper care while choosing the right toys for their babies. In this article, we have provided a number of tips that will help you choose the best toys for your toddler.

Choosing the Right Toys for Your Toddler
Buy simple and solid toys for your child. Children have the habit of throwing away their toys, banging them on the ground or against the walls, etc. A delicate toy is as good as non-existent.
While buying a toy for your child, make sure it does not have toxic paints, sharp edges or loose parts. This is because babies usually have a habit if putting everything in their mouth.
Almost all the toddlers love to play with the ball, since it rolls, bounces, and can be kicked too. At the same time, he will start noticing that when he throws the ball to someone, the latter throws it back. Thus, a ball will help him develop social skills.
Toy telephone is another play thing that helps in the development of a child’s social skills. It will help him develop the art of conversation.
Try to develop the habit of reading in your child by buying him storybooks. At this stage, he will not be able to read them. Buy books that have colorful pictures, so that he is attracted to turn the pages. As he starts growing, there is a strong possibility of his reading the same books with interest.
Toddlers love the toys that contain levers, push buttons, dials, hinges, etc, in short something they can finger. Try to buy toys that require the child to do something on his own, even if it’s pressing a button.
Building blocks are something almost every child loves to play with. While buying the blocks, make sure that they are made of light material and do not have sharp edges.
Push-pull toys, especially the ones that make noise while moving are very much liked by toddlers.

Here in this section we have given some relaxing news viewing your continuous breathless toil in and around babies, caring him looking after him feeding him etc. The baby bottle warmers prevent your frequent running to the kitchen to feed your baby. You can take these warmer wherever you want specially the baby travel bottle warmer while you are traveling in a car. There are different brands of bottle warmers available in the market that are user-friendly and having the most advanced features. You can easily choose one among them and set the temperature of your bottle warmer that will be suitable for your child.
The milk or the baby food or even the feeding bottle of your baby can be put in the warmer and just pour water. The water level should be under the level of milk or milk bottle. The warmer heats the water around the milk bottle and automatically milk gets heated automatically. The switch of the warmer keeps on clicking on and off and the milk remains of the same temperature until you use it. So it not only the milk that but the bottle food warmer for babies helps them to have a nutritious warm food especially in the winter.

There are some bottle warmers that have a cooling part. In the cooler part you can keep another bottle ready so that you can use it later. These bottle warmers set are very helpful during the night feed, as you don’t have to go through the long procedure of conventional warming in the kitchen.

There are some types of bottle warmer that can be used while traveling in car. You can put the bottle warmer in the cigarette lighter for your car so that the car batteries heat it. They are kept firm by a plastic belt tied around the bottle. It takes about 15 minutes to warm up. You can also use chemical bottle warmer to warm up the milk bottle of your baby. A heat releasing liquid warms up the food of the baby

Some babies are born with certain abnormalities; these are present at the time of the birth of the baby. These are known congenital abnormalities. These abnormalities are a result of problems while the baby was developing in the mother’s womb or because of complications during labor or they are hereditary abnormalities. Given below are a few congenital abnormalities:

Spina bifida: in this condition there is a raw swelling over a portion of the spine at birth. This results in paralysis of the legs either partial or complete, inability to control bladder functioning and inability to feel anything below the spina bifida. In some cases there is a build up and retention of water in the brain and this is know as hydrocephalus. This swelling can be closed by an operation by specialists. To reduce to risk of spina bifida women are prescribed folic acid supplements during the early stages of their pregnancy.
Umbilical hernias: In this condition parts of the digestive system are lying outside the stomach cavity. This is because the area around the navel is not very strong. Normally cases of umbilical hernias around the navel heal by themselves, if they do not then surgery is required.
Sickle cell disease: This is a hereditary condition that is most commonly found among people of West African or African Caribbean descent. The hemoglobin in the red blood corpuscles disintegrates at a quicker rate than normal. Hemoglobin is important as it carries oxygen to the different parts of the body. Reduction in hemoglobin causes anemia and blocks blood vessels in the hands and legs and stomach. An attack can last for a few days and can be treated with painkillers. This is also known as Sickle cell disease.
Cystic fibrosis: This is another hereditary illness in which the tissues in the body produce unusually thick mucus. The commonly affected organs are the lungs, the intestines and pancreas. If the lungs are affected the air ducts are blocked and hence vulnerable to infection. Children with this condition have a inability to digest food completely and have bad smelling bowel movements and constipation. They are well below the normal weight for their age. This illness has no cure, but if detected in the initial stages lung damage can be reduced. These children are susceptible to chest infections and have to be treated with antibiotics. Chest physiotherapy is required regularly to remove thick phlegm.
Coeliac disease: In this condition the child’s intestine reacts strongly to gluten, a protein found in wheat. These children have a severe case of diarrhea, where the stools are fatty, pale and don’t flush away. The child does not put on weight as required. The illness can be detected by a blood test. After being detected the child will have to completely give up gluten contain food. Once this is done stools return to normal and the child will put on weight. There is large number of alternative foods available in the market and the child will have to abstain from having gluten for the rest of his life. Once this is done stools return to normal and the child will put on weight.
Clubfoot: In this condition the foot curves inwards or outwards. All babies are checked for this at birth, especially so if they were born in the breech position, as it occurs more frequently with these babies. Often they can be manipulated into the proper position, with little or no treatment. But if the case is severe then surgery may be required. This condition is also known as talipes.
Cleft palate: In this condition the cleft lip and the cleft palate are fused, thus the baby is unable to breast-feed. Various support groups will help you deal with the situation and corrective plastic surgery is possible.
Congenital dislocation of the hip: All babies are screened for this condition at birth and when they are eight weeks old. If this condition is undetected then walking can become a problem later on in life. If diagnosed with this problem then the baby will have to wear a special splint for sometime. Most recover without having to be operated on, but some do need an operation. This condition is prevalent more among girls and breech babies.
Cerebral palsy: In this condition the parts of the brain that control body movements are damaged. This can happen before birth, during birth or in the first two years after birth. In some cases damage may not be noticed at birth, but as the child grows it may become evident that there is brain damage. It is difficult to pinpoint as to what causes this damage. There are a few tests that can be conducted when the baby is eight weeks old to screen him for cerebral palsy.
Premature babies
The normal term for a baby is 37 weeks. Those babies that are born before this period are premature babies. Modern medical technology has advanced to such an extent that today babies that are born at 23 or 24 weeks can be kept alive and monitored till they reach full term. Babies born at 25 weeks and after have a perfectly good chance of healthy survival today. Special Care Baby Units (SCBU) are designed and equipped to look after sick and early babies. Premature babies have Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) or difficulty in breathing. As the baby is born too early its lungs haven’t developed enough to produce surfactant, an important substance that prevents the inner side of the lungs from fusing together. Today the babies are given artificial surfactant. They need special care and are kept in an incubator in a controlled environment and fed through tubes to their stomach.

Circumcision involves the removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis. Specifically, the foreskin refers to the retractable double-layered fold of skin that covers the penis.

Many of those who are circumcised are done so while they are still infants, although there are a small percentage of those who are circumcised as adults. When an infant is circumcised, a small clamp called a Gompo Clamp is generally used, thereby ensuring that the glans penis is protected and that the bleeding is stopped quickly. After the foreskin has been securely clamped, a scalpel is then used to remove the part of the foreskin that is in the flat, or upper, part of the clamp. The procedure can take as little as a few minutes, and in order to protect the child from any unwanted injury or discomfort, a small dose of anesthesia is applied to the area.

Although historians generally disagree as to when the first circumcision took place, many believe that it originated in the Heliolithic culture some 15,000 years ago. Whether it branched off to different cultures or, conversely, arose in various cultures independently is also up for scholarly debate, but the Egyptians were the first to document the act. In the Jewish religion, the act of circumcision is performed in a ceremony known as a bris, where a figure known as a mohel performs the actual cutting of the foreskin. It usually takes place on the eighth day of the infant’s life unless.

In Islam, circumcision is an integral part of the religion. The prescription of circumcision for Muslims is reported in several hadiths:

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘The (characteristics of) the fitrah are five: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, trimming the moustache, cutting the fingernails and plucking the armpit hairs” (Sahih al-Bukhari). Fitrah is defined as the natural state of man.

The following words have been recorded in another hadith “get rid of the hair of disbelief
and perform circumcision” (Musnad Ahmad).

Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever accepts Islam should have his circumcision perfomed.” (Talkhis al-Habir)

It has been reported in hadith that the recommended time for circumcision to be performed for a newborn baby is the seventh day. “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) performed the Aqiqah of al-Hassan and al-Hussain and circumcised them on the 7th day.” (Reported by al-Baihaqee & Tabaraanee). It is important however to remember that the timing is only a recommendation and it is still permissible to perform circumcision after the seventh day if for example the day has been missed.

There are several scientific benefits of circumcision. For one thing, because the foreskin adds a larger surface area to the penis, the rate of infection can increase drastically, causing serious complications for people of all ages. Having it removed, however, drastically decreases the rate of infection. Moreover, during sexual intercourse, the foreskin and prepuce, which is the retractable piece of skin that covers the genitals, are prone to trauma, making it easier for harmful bacteria – such as the HIV virus, for instance – to enter the blood stream. Of course, as we all know, the HIV disease generally leads to AIDS which, at this point, is virtually incurable. Other proven medical benefits of circumcision include protection of the female partner against cancer of the cervix, protection against cancer of the penis and prevention of urinary tract infections.

Some argue that circumcision is extremely painful and, consequently, one should not have the procedure preformed. This, however, is untrue, as there are a number of different anesthetics that can be applied – and that are applied – during circumcision to curtail the pain that might be involved. Many doctors and researchers liken the foreskin to the pinky finger, arguing that, in the modern world, both have ceased to have any clearly defined, absolutely necessary functions. Because humans have the facilities to keep themselves clean, and usually do, the foreskin has lost its purpose and, instead of proving beneficial, has actually proven to be detrimental to many.

For those who are older and desire circumcision, the pain is more pronounced and can last longer than those who undergo circumcision while infants. This is because, in an infant, the nerves in the region are not fully developed, whereas in the older, adult male, the nerves are much more functional, sensitive, and complex, making the pain much more intense. Skin cells also heal better and more efficiently when younger so that permanent damage does not take place. Scarring and complications are also less likely for an infant who undergoes circumcision.

The procedure takes approximately an hour to an hour-and-a-half. It must be noted, however, that the hour to hour-and-a-half covers everything from the initial setup, cleansing, actual cutting of the foreskin, and clean up. The actual cutting does not take more than a few minutes. The aftercare for infants is generally very quick, with recovery rates as fast as a few days to a week. For older men, the procedure takes roughly the same time, although the aftercare takes much longer, up to a few weeks. During this time, men should refrain from having sexual intercourse ensuring that the penis heals correctly.

It is important to note that not everyone should be circumcised. Those with blood clots, for example, should refrain from the surgery because the blood may not clot, possibly leading to serious complications and maybe even death. Those with immune deficiencies, and do not heal quickly or effectively, should stay away from any unnecessary surgery, including circumcision. Although the procedure is considered to be very safe, one should not put themselves in any unnecessary danger.

In a study of 603 males under the age of 21, researches concluded that approximately 71.1% of the male population living in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada is circumcised, while only 28.9% are not. Although a country-by-country analysis has yet to be done, James Badger, a sociologist, came to the conclusion that roughly 40% of the world’s population is circumcised. His breakdown looks as follows:

A). Countries with at least 75% of residents circumcised:

1. North and West Africa

2. Much of East Africa (including, Algeria, Cameroon, Chad, Dahomey, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya. Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Northern Uganda, Upper Volta, Zaire)

3. Much of Islamic Asia and the Middle East (including, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel {not Muslim}, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, Yemen)

          4. Tonga, Samoa, Canada, United States and Western Europe, Eastern Europe.

B). Countries with 50-75% of residents circumcised:

1. The rest of Africa

2. Parts of Asia with Muslim majorities (i.e. India)

3. The Pacific Islands.

C). Countries with less than 50%

1. Central and South America

2. Caribbean.

Using these figures, the worldwide circumcision rate is approximately 40%.

For those interested in more information regarding circumcision, here are some informative sites to check out:

1. http://www.circinfo.net/ — very informative; a ton of information

2. www.wikipedia.com – a lot of information, although some of it may not be completely accurate.

3. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=1006032414350 - a lot of scientifically-based information

4. familydoctor.org/042.xml – medically sound information

5. www.aap.org/visit/circumcision.htm

The cost of circumcision varies from country to country. Some medical teams do it for as little as £70. There are a number of places where you can have your child circumcised. Below is a list of ten places throughout the United Kingdom:

1. Brenenden Hospital – Cranbrook, Kent – www.brenendenhospital.org/uk

2. New Victoria Hospital – Kingston upon Thames, Surrey – newvictoriahospital.co.uk/

3. London Specialist Hospitals – London – londonspecialisthospitals.nhs.uk

4. Cromwell Hospital – Cromwell – www.cromwell-hospital.co.uk/

5. HCA International – London – hcainternational.com

6. Aspen Healthcare – London – aspen-healthcare.co.uk

7. Litfield House Medical Centre – Bristol – litfieldhouse.co.uk

8. St. Anthony’s Hospital – Surrey – stanthoys.org.uk

9. Parkview Private Clinic – Wanstead, East London - http://www.parkviewclinicltdwanstead.co.uk/

10. Holly House Hospital – Essex - http://www.hollyhouse-hospital.co.uk/index0.asp

A new baby is truly a miracle. From the moment you learn of the little one’s existence, you begin to dream and plan. Will she be a doctor? Will he be handsome and intelligent? Parents-to-be spend countless hours dreaming of the baby they will soon meet and discussing the most important thing of all – what should we name our baby?

    This question is equally entertaining and stressful. Fortunately, there are ways to focus on the joy of the situation rather than the anxiousness it might bring. Just remember, your child will be perfect, and your name will be, too.

    #1: The Deeper Meaning

    What is really in a name? We all know the old adage about a rose by any other name, but what does a name really mean? Many baby names are taken from languages that do actually have deeper meanings, and some might not have the exact meaning you are seeking. If you think a name sounds beautiful, but means “the weak one,” you might want to head back to the drawing board.

    By the same token, if you are just starting your search, consider names based on something the baby might represent – without smothering the poor child with your expectations. More than one baby has been given a name symbolizing hope or happiness.

    #2: The Impression

    What impression does the name make on others? If you’re considering giving your son or daughter a name that is tricky to pronounce, you might reconsider. Some parents think it is adorable to match first name and last name. This is usually just confusing to everyone involved.

    In general, long surnames are best paired with shorter first names and vice-versa. Remember, you child is going to have to write out the name on every piece of paper they turn in for the rest of their life. Take pity on them if their last name already contains more than seven letters.

    #3: The Memories

    Maybe a name sounds beautiful until you realize that your husband’s ex-fiance had the same name. It’s a pretty safe bet your husband would feel the same way about your ex-finaces’ names. If a name leaves a bad taste in your mouth, you probably don’t want to taste it every time you speak to your child. Find something more palatable.

    #4: Religion

    Many times religion will have some say in the naming of a child born into that faith. Some religions feel that a child’s name should come from a deceased relative, while others feel strongly about having a name associated with a prophet or saint. Religious aspects are important to consider, but often are easily resolved with a middle name or a bit of creativity.

    #5: Honor

    Should your baby be named in honor of someone else? Perhaps the first son should be named after his father. If this is the case, be sure to give the child a nickname early on as to avoid having two people with the same name living in the same house. Middle names are another common way to honor relatives or parents.

    #6: Initials

    Some parents sort through baby girl names and settle on a wonderful name just to discover that the baby’s initials spell out something undesirable. While this may seem trivial to adults, it can mean a great deal to a child suffering through school with cruel taunting over her initials. On the flip side, some children are given specific initials to continue a family tradition or to honor a relative.

    #7: Nicknames

    Some names lend themselves easily to nicknames. If you think the nickname is desirable, encourage its use early on. If you prefer the child to go by the full name, you and your little one may have an uphill battle against well-meaning strangers. Another area to consider is any nickname that future classmates might dream up based on the way a name sounds. If there is anything remotely funny about a particular name, you can count on eight-year-olds to find it.

    #8: Gender

    Sometimes the lines between gender specific names are blurring. This may or may not be a good thing for your baby. More girls seem to be receiving baby boys names. A boy never wants to be in the same room as a girl with the same name. It is up to the parents to plan ahead as much as possible. Also, even if you know the gender, bring a few extra names to the hospital just in case. Ultrasound “uh-ohs” have definitely happened.

    #9: Spelling

    To break the mold, you might consider a unique spelling of an otherwise traditional name. Of course, there are already many accepted ways to write many baby names, so this will probably not be a problem. Do consider your child in this decision however. If a baby name is spelled so unusually that friends and family have a hard time remembering just how to spell it or even pronounce it correctly, you might have gone too far.

    #10: Easy to Live With

    Most importantly of all, you want to pick a name you and your little one can live with happily. Are you comfortable saying the name out loud? Does it sound right when you yell it out the back door or up the stairs? Is it too reminiscent of anything or anyone you really don’t want associated with your own blessed child?

    Remember, too, that baby names can become a burden to a child if he feels he must live up to extremely high standards. If a child was named for a legend in your country or culture, will she be able to handle the pressure?

    Like pregnancy, selecting the perfect baby name is a unique experience for every parent. Parents with more than one child can tell the tale of wading through the mired mess of baby names each time a new child was on the way. The bottom line is to have an open mind and heart.

    Even with the best planning, a brand new baby can easily catch a parent off guard. Many a parent has first laid eyes on their newborn and declared the child needs a totally different name than the carefully planned one. Enjoy the planning and most especially enjoy the joys of parenthood.

1) Arad
2) Abbas
3) Leila
4) Afareen
5) Afshin
6) Babak
7) Mahsa
Omeed
9) Ali
10) Aideen

The Male (Boy) & Female (Girl) Baby Names listed here are from Iranian Origin/Language/Culture. Iranian Languages are a part of the Indo Eurpean language family.  The Iranian language group is the part of the larger Indo-Iranian language subfamily.  The Indo-Iranian language family is comprised of languages spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, some former Soviet republics, some areas of Iraq and Turkey, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh

Welcome to the Muslim Baby Names and Meanings site. We realize how difficult it can be for parents to pick the “perfect baby name” for their newly born child, therefore we have complied the largest online database of baby names and meanings making it easier to find a baby name which you’ll like! Muslim Baby Names and Meanings lists both baby boys names and baby girl names along with their meanings.

This is also an ideal place if you are looking to change your own or your babies name. Not only does our site include the more common or popular baby names but we also list beautiful, unique, unusual, uncommon & modern baby boys names & baby girl names. Baby names from a variety of origins are listed including Indian, Pakistani, Arab and African baby names. Please note however we do not have non-muslim baby names such as Hindu, Christian, Italian, Irish, American, French or British baby names.

Name is what a person is distinguished by. The Oxford Dictionary defines it as a word or a combination of words constituting the individual designation by which a person, animal, place or thing is known, spoken of, etc. The name you pick for your baby is a word that will be used to identify them for the rest of their life.

One should always remember that the baby name given to a child is his or her first gift in life. Therefore great care must be taken in choosing baby names that have pleasant and beautiful meanings just like our Prophet (SAW) did.

People name their children to distinguish them from others. The baby must be named on the seventh day. According to a Hadith a child must be named promptly on birth. The baby name must be meaningful. “You will be called by your name on the day of judgment” this is another reason why it is important to chose a baby name with good meaning. The prophet (PBUH) was very particular about it and he always changed names that were derogatory. An example is that he changed Aasiyah (disobedient) into Jameelah (beautiful).

A baby must not be given the name of Allah unless it is compounded with Allah. According to a Hadith the worst of men on the day of judgement will be one who is called Shahinshah. only Allah Ta’ala is king of kings or Shahinshah; Kingdom belongs to him alone

Further parents must make sure that the baby names they select signify servitude to Allah alone and to no one else. They must not append bondage even to the name Nabi. Names that reflect love or romance must not be used either. The Prophet has suggested names of the Prophets or Abdullah and Abdur Rahman. He has said,

“Keep the names of the noble Prophets, Allah loves most the names Abdullah and Abdur Rahman. The most truthful names are Harith and Humam, while the most disliked are Harb and Murrah (war and bitter).”

Please note that most of the baby names and meanings listed on Muslim Baby Names and Meanings have been added to the database by our users from all over the globe. Therefore Muslim Baby Names and Meanings can not guarantee the accuracy of the baby names and meanings listed on the site. We highly recommend that before you take any decision on naming your baby, you should first verify the baby boys names and baby girl names and their meanings found on the site with the Imam at your local mosque.

If you are searching for a name that you might want to pick for your baby you can choose from baby name, Pakistan style. A baby name, Pakistan language, can be found in various books on the subject. You can find them in the library or in a bookstore. You might want to go by the Urdu alphabet. Pick a name according to the Urdu alphabet when you are looking for through the books for baby names.

If you are searching for a name that you might want to pick for your baby you can choose from baby name, Pakistan style. A baby name, Pakistan language, can be found in various books on the subject. You can find them in the library or in a bookstore. Make sure that you take notes if you are looking through the books in the library. Buying a book might be the best way to do this because you can then write right in the book if you need to. You can narrow the baby name, Pakistan language, down to a few that you are interested in. Then you will need to really think them over to decide which one you want to name your baby. It will be a fun process to see what you want to name your baby. Make sure that you pick something that you really like and that you think your baby will like as it is growing up. A baby’s name is very important so take the time to pick the right one of your baby.

You might want to go by the Urdu alphabet. Pick a name according to the Urdu alphabet when you are looking for through the books for baby names. It will be fun for you to see all the different names that you can pick from. Make sure that you start this process early and then pick a name before the baby is born.

Making it fun to pick out baby names will be a great way to get the job done. Think of calling your baby the name, Pakistan language, and then use it and see if you like the way it sounds. When you think of calling your baby that do you like the sound of it? Will you have a nickname for your baby? You want to think of all these things when you are trying to decide on a baby name for your child. A baby name, Pakistan style, will sound different than other names so make sure that you like it a lot if you are planning to name your child by the name.

Choosing a baby name can take some time. Remember to start early so that you will be able to pick a name by the time that your baby is getting ready to be born. You won’t want to have your child in the world without a name, so make sure that you pick one out ahead of time. Then you will be all set to enjoy your baby and starting your family. It is important to be prepared ahead of time with all the things that are necessary to do when you are having children. Make sure that you understand what it is to be a parent before you decide to become one. Picking a baby name is part of the process so be sure that you do pick your baby’s name as soon as you can. You will be glad that you thought it out long before the time the baby is to arrive.

A baby name, Pakistan language, will have a unique sound to it. You will want research all the different names in the Pakistan language before you pick it. Make sure it is one that you are comfortable with and you will be glad you took the time to do so. It will make all the difference when you decide the name that you want to give your child. The process is a lot of the fun of it, so start looking for names today and you will find one by they time that you baby arrives into the world. It will be a wonderful time so have as much fun with it as you can. Parenting is a great part of life so enjoy it while you are becoming one. Make sure that you enjoy every minute of it.

The writer of the following article apologizes to the many young Pakistani mothers for the absence in her article of any of the Urdu names for girls. The writer was seeking to convey a particular point, a fact concerning the Islamic religion. In order to concentrate on that one point, the writer needed to focus on the male names that are used by the Pakistani families.

The list of Urdu names underlines the importance of the Islamic religion among the people of Pakistan. That is especially true, if one focuses on the Urdu names for male children. While a Pakistani family often names a son “Muhammad,” there is one name that such a family will never use.

Yet “next-door,” in Iran, the same name has often been chosen by Iranian parents as the name for a newborn son. At the same time, those Iranian families share with Pakistani families the willingness to name a son “Muhammad.”

What name used in Iran is missing among the Urdu names? Why is there this noticeable difference between Iranian names and Urdu names? Those questions will be answered in the following paragraphs.

A visit to a Pakistani hospital could easily lead to discovery of a male infant named either “Muhammad” or “Omar.” A visit to an Iranian hospital could well lead to discovery of a male infant named “Muhammad” or “Ali.” One would find no mention of “Ali” among a list of Pakistani names, and one would find no mention of “Omar” among a list of Iranian names.

Those facts are due to difference in the religious beliefs between the people of Pakistan and the people of Iran. The people of Pakistan are Sunni Muslims. They accept Omar as the one designated by Muhammad as his successor. The people of Iran feel that Ali was the one appointed by Muhammad to be his successor.

That is why one will have little chance of finding a boy named “Ali” in the home of a Pakistani family. “Ali” has never been considered as one of the many Pakistani names. By the same token, one will have little chance of finding a baby named “Omar” among a group of Iranian babies.

Coincidentally, Urdu names do share some of the same names that one does find in the Bible. That fact underscores the degree to which the Pakistani people do share certain beliefs with the people of other revealed religions.

A group of Pakistani youth might contain one or more boys named “Ismail,” “Esmail” or “Ibrahim.” Those names should sound vaguely familiar to a reader of the Holy Bible. They are taken from the story of the prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. While those Urdu names are not spelled the same way as the Hebrew names, the family using any of those names has the same respect for that prophet and his son.

Another name often found among a list of Urdu names is one that contains the word “Abdul.” That word means servant, and it is often used as the first half of a boy’s name. Abdul Karim, Abdul Hamid and Abdul Hafeez are all examples of Urdu names.

Being good Muslims, Pakistani families would never name a child “Allah.” They can and do, however, include the word “allah” within some male names. That explains why one can sometimes find a Pakistani boy with a name such as “Zekrrollah” or “Nasrallah.” That same ending would never be added to the name of any Pakistani girl. That too would represent an action that ran counter to the Muslim traditions.

An understanding of Muslim traditions and Muslim beliefs helps anyone who wants to gain an understanding of Pakistani names.