Salar Muslim Names – Traditional Names from the Salar Muslim Community of China

Salar Muslim Names

The Salar Muslims are a Turkic-speaking ethnic minority group in China who embraced Islam as early as the 13th century. With deep historical roots and a unique blend of Turkic, Persian, Arabic, and Chinese influences, the Salar people have preserved their Islamic faith, language, and cultural identity for centuries.

Their naming traditions reflect this rich heritage, often incorporating names of Arabic and Islamic origin with localized pronunciations. In this post, we present a selection of authentic Salar Muslim names for boys and girls, along with meanings, linguistic origins, and Arabic spellings.

Boy names

Name	Meaning	Origin	Arabic	Pinyin
Abdulqadir	Servant of the Powerful	Arabic	عبد القادر	Ābúdùkǎdí’ěr
Yusuf	God increases	Arabic/ Quranic	يوسف	Yùsūfū
Mahmut	Praised	Turkish/ Arabic	محمود	Mǎhǔmùtè
Hasan	Good	Arabic	حسن	Hāsǎn
Idris	Interpreter	Arabic/ Quranic	إدريس	Yīdélǐsī
Tursun	May (he) live	Turkic	تورسون	Tǔěrsūn
Karim	Generous	Arabic	كريم	Kǎlǐmǔ
Osman	Tender youth	Turkish/ Arabic	عثمان	Àosīmǎn

Girl names

Name	Meaning	Origin	Arabic	Pinyin
Amina	Trustworthy	Arabic	أمينة	Āmǐnà
Fatima	One who weans	Arabic	فاطمة	Fàtímǎ
Zohra	Flower	Arabic/ Persian	زهرة	Zuòlā
Rabia	Fourth	Arabic	رابعة	Lābǐyǎ
Nurhan	Light + Ruler	Arabic/ Turkic	نورهان	Nǔ’ěrhàn
Saadet	Happiness	Turkish/ Arabic	سعادة	Sà’ādètè
Mariyam	Bitter	Arabic/ Quranic	مريم	Mǎlìyǎmǔ
Shamsiya	Solar	Arabic	شمسية	Shǎnxīyǎ

Salar Muslim Names

Abdulqadir: A traditional name commonly used by Salar Muslims, reflecting deep respect for divine attributes.

Hasan: Often chosen due to its connection to the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grandson, symbolizing nobility and piety.

Yusuf: This name, referring to Prophet Yusuf (AS), is beloved among Salar and other Muslim communities globally.

Mahmut: A Turkic variation of “Mahmood,” meaning praiseworthy—popular in Central Asian Muslim communities.

Idris: An esteemed prophetic name, signifying knowledge and wisdom.

Tursun: A Turkic-origin name meaning “preserved” or “may he live”, frequently found among Turkic and Salar populations.

Karim: A common name denoting generosity and nobility, used with reverence in Islamic cultures.

Osman: Honoring Caliph Uthman ibn Affan (RA), this name is also a bridge between Turkish and Islamic traditions.

Amina: Chosen for its moral strength, this was the name of the Prophet’s (PBUH) mother.

Fatima: One of the most revered names in Islam, honoring the Prophet’s (PBUH) daughter.

Zohra: A beautiful and elegant name, associated with Venus and feminine grace.

Rabia: Symbolizes both the season and the famous mystic Rabia al-Adawiyya.

Nurhan: A combination of “Nur” (light) and “Khan” (leader), reflecting elegance and honor.

Saadet: From Turkish, meaning happiness—a rare but meaningful choice among Salar families.

Mariyam: A widely loved name for girls, inspired by the mother of Prophet Isa (AS)(Jesus).

Shamsiya: Related to the sun, symbolizing brightness, vitality, and hope.

Salar Muslim Names

The Salar Muslim names reflect a unique intersection of Islamic, Turkic, and Chinese cultural elements, keeping alive centuries-old traditions rooted in faith and identity. Whether derived from Arabic scriptures or shaped by local linguistic patterns, these names are deeply meaningful and proudly carried across generations of Salar families.

If you’re exploring names from a culturally rich and devout Muslim community in China, these Salar Muslim names offer both beauty and depth.