What Muslim names work well in the US and UK?

Yes, many Muslim names are easy to say and spell in the US and UK. Short names such as Adam, Omar, Noor, Layla or Amina work smoothly, and several prophets' names already exist in English forms, such as Joseph, Noah, Mary and Sarah. Pick one with a good meaning first, then check how it sounds with your surname.

Names that already feel familiar

Many prophets and righteous figures appear in both the Quran and the Bible, so their names are known in the West. They're a safe bridge between families:

Adam (the first man and prophet)
Noah (Nuh), Joseph (Yusuf), Jacob (Yaqub), Isaac (Ishaq) and Jonah (Yunus)
Elijah (Ilyas) and Zachary (Zakariya)
Mary (Maryam), the mother of Jesus, who has a whole chapter of the Quran named after her
Sarah, the wife of Ibrahim

Short Arabic names for boys

Omar: after the second caliph, one of the best-known Companions.
Zayn: "beauty" or "grace".
Karim: "generous".
Amir: "prince" or "leader".
Ayman: "blessed".
Idris: a prophet mentioned in the Quran.
Rayan: linked to Ar-Rayyan, the gate of Paradise for those who fast (Sahih al-Bukhari 1896).

Short Arabic names for girls

Amina: "trustworthy" and the name of the Prophet's mother.
Aisha: "living", after the Prophet's wife.
Layla: "night".
Noor: "light". It also works for boys.
Iman: "faith".
Hana: "happiness".
Salma: "peaceful".
Yasmin: "jasmine".

Choosing for life in the West

Say it with your surname, and imagine it on a CV, in class and in a shop queue.
Check the spelling: Omar or Umar, Aisha or Ayesha, Yusuf or Yousef. Choose one version and use it everywhere.
Sounds English lacks (the "kh" in Khalid, the "q" in Qasim) get mispronounced, but that's not a reason to drop a name you love. Teach people once, kindly.
A bridge middle name: some families use an easy first name and a more traditional second name, or the other way round.
Meaning first: the Prophet ﷺ said we will be called on the Day of Resurrection by our names and our fathers' names, so we should give ourselves good names (Sunan Abi Dawud 4948).

Don't forget the most beloved names to Allah: Abdullah and Abd al-Rahman (Sahih Muslim 2132), which are easy to say in English too. For the basics of choosing, see How do I choose a Muslim baby name? And before you settle, check What names are not allowed for Muslim babies?

One more thing

A name that is hard for others is still your child's gift for life. If a pronunciation worry is the only thing holding you back, consider a nickname for school and keep the full name for official use. If you are a convert choosing a name for yourself, see Do I have to change my name after becoming Muslim?

Key points

Prophets' names like Adam, Noah, Joseph and Mary are familiar in the West.
Short names such as Omar, Layla, Noor and Amina are easy to say and spell.
Check spelling and pronunciation, but put meaning first.
Abdullah and Abd al-Rahman are the names most loved by Allah.

Tip: Ask a few friends to read your shortlist aloud, without hints. Their first attempts show you which names will work smoothly.