The Effect of Names on People

Question: Is it true that the name of a person affects their character and fate?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

One’s character and fate are determined by one’s choices in life. One is not doomed or saved just because of one’s name.

That said, we do often notice that there is a relationship between one’s name and one’s persona or profession, and a number of ulema have suggested that the Prophetic injunction to give people good and beautiful names is exactly because of this unexplainable relationship (Tuhfat al Mawdud, Ibn Al Qayyim; Fayd al Qadir, Munawi).

Please also see:
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/is-it-acceptable-to-choose-a-name-that-is-not-arabic-and-is-not-from-the-quran/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/change-name-not-arabic/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/halal-and-haram/can-change-name-child-birth/
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/is-it-permissible-to-name-ones-daughter-barakah/

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language