Malay Names: A Beautiful Blend of Cultures and Meanings

Names in Malaysia are more than just labels—they are a reflection of the country’s rich history, diverse cultures, and deep-rooted traditions. For children learning Malay, exploring how names are formed is a fun way to learn about family, language, and identity.

How Malay Names Work

Most ethnic Malays do not use family surnames like in many Western countries. Instead, they follow a patronymic system, which means names are based on the father’s name.

• For boys: The word “bin” (from Arabic بن, meaning “son of”) is placed between the child’s name and the father’s name.
  Example: Musa bin Osman means “Musa, son of Osman.”
• For girls: The word “binti” (from Arabic بنت, meaning “daughter of”) is used.
  Example: Aisyah binti Musa means “Aisyah, daughter of Musa.”

In Malaysia, women keep their names after marriage, which is different from what happens in many other parts of the world.

Where Do Malay Names Come From?

Traditional Malay names are influenced by many languages:

• Malay origin: Kiambang, Mayang, Tuah
• Khmer, Siamese, or Cham: Tam, Som, Lai
• Javanese: Ratnasari, Joyo, Kesuma
• Sanskrit or Pali: Wira, Darma, Wati
• Arabic (very popular): Muhammad, Aishah, Amir
• Persian: Jehan, Mirza, Shah
• Greek or Latin: Maria, Marina, Johana
• English: Tiara, Orked, Ros

Some names are even inspired by famous figures around the world. Many Malay boys are named Muhammad or Mohammad, in honor of the Prophet Muhammad.

Surnames in Malaysia

While most Malays do not use surnames, some families carry unique family titles such as:

• Tengku, Megat, Nik, Wan, Raja, Che
• Others include Syed (or Sayid) and Teuku

It’s also common to have two or three personal names, giving children a beautiful blend of meanings and sounds.

Malaysian Chinese Names

The Malaysian Chinese community is one of the few ethnic groups in Malaysia that uses family names regularly. Their full names usually have three parts, with the family name first, followed by a two-part personal name.

Most Popular Malay Names for Kids

Here are some of the most loved names among Malay parents today:

Boys’ Names
Muhamad, Adam, Rayyan, Ahmad, Daniel, Darwish, Umar, Haziq, Irfan, Zikri, Aqil, Harith, Hakim, Aqif, Hadif, Ammar, Danish, Aidan, Jayden, Ashraff, Alif, Ariff, Syshmi, Isaac, Amsyar

Girls’ Names
Nur (Nor or Noor), Zara, Hannah, Damia, Sophia, Alicia, Aishah, Humaira, Batrisyia, Safiyyah, Sarah, Iris, Alya, Adrianna, Amani, Keisha, Arissa, Balqis, Qistina, Arianna, Qaisara, Khalisha, Chloe, Marissa, Mia

Learn More with Dinolingo

As children learn Malay, recognizing popular names and the stories behind them makes the language come alive. With Dinolingo, young learners can hear their own names in fun stories, games, and songs. They’ll also learn how to say family member names like ayah (father), ibu (mother), or adik (sibling), building both vocabulary and cultural awareness.