Many European names are borrowed from Greek or Hebrew. There has been a lot of co-opting and localizing of names from the Old or New Testaments. I don't see why names in Arabic (which are Afro Asiatic) are an exception. Also, a few Somalis don't have Arab, Anglo or Somali names. I like Somali names but naming is uniquely individual and I won't negate those who decide on something different.
Read this article.
Does your name determine your future? New research suggests it may at least shape the way your face looks — Quartz (qz.com)
Even very common "white" names like John and Paul have biblical origins. They come from John the Baptist whose original Hebrew name was Yoxanan (Yaxya (As) in Arabic) and Paul the apostle whose original Hebrew name was Shacul. Even female names like Rachel and Sarah have biblical roots and sounded more Afro-Asiatic in their original Hebrew like the prior mentioned male names. The original pronunciation of Rachel, for example, was Raxel.
Last edited: