Arabic · Boy Name · Prophet
Yahya.
يحيى
“God is gracious, he shall live (John)”
- MeaningGod is gracious, he shall live (John)
- OriginArabic
- GenderBoy
- Arabicيحيى
- PronunciationYA-hya
- Prophet's nameBorne by a prophet mentioned in the Qur'an
About the name
Yahya (يحيى) is a Arabic name traditionally given to a boy. It means “God is gracious, he shall live (John).” The name was borne by a prophet mentioned in the Qur'an, which makes it a particularly beloved choice within Muslim communities worldwide. Islam places emphasis on names with beautiful meanings — the Prophet ﷺ is reported to have occasionally renamed companions whose names carried heavy or unpleasant connotations. A name like Yahya is safely within the tradition of names that carry dignity, aspiration or righteous association.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Yahya mean?+
Yahya means "God is gracious, he shall live (John)". It is a Arabic name, traditionally given to a boy.
How do you write Yahya in Arabic?+
Yahya is written يحيى in Arabic script. Roman spellings vary slightly between regions — the Arabic form is the stable reference.
Is Yahya a good Islamic name?+
Yes. Yahya is an established Islamic name of Arabic origin. Islam encourages names with good meanings, and "God is gracious, he shall live (John)" is well regarded. This name was borne by a prophet mentioned in the Qur'an, which historically makes it a particularly beloved choice.
How do you pronounce Yahya?+
A simple English reading is YA-hya. For the authentic Arabic pronunciation, listen to a native speaker — most regional recitation apps and Qur'an platforms have high-quality audio for common names.