Is the Name Gabrielle Permitted for a Muslim Girl?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Assalam alaykum

My pregnant sister is looking for a name to her child. Is the name Gabrielle permitted for a Muslim girl?

Answer: Walaikum assalam,

I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah. May Allah grant a smooth pregnancy and bless with a blessed child that is a source of lasting joy for you and your families.

There is nothing wrong with the name “Gabrielle.”

The basis of names in Islam is that they are permissible. It is recommended, by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), to choose names with wholesome, good meanings.

It is discouraged to choose names with clearly negative meanings (Arabs liked naming their sons with the names of wild animals, to intimidate enemy tribes).

It is prohibited to use names directly expressive of sin, corruption, or disbelief (e.g. calling oneself the name of a Hindi deity).

Thus, the name mentioned wouldn’t fall under any of these prohibitions. It is said that the root sense of the name “Gabrielle” is from the Hebrew meaning of being a person of God. While the feminine of “Gabriel,” this alone wouldn’t make the name disliked or avoidable.

Please see: Is it Permissible to Name Children with Names of Angels?

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a scholar and researcher of Islamic law and translator of several Arabic works to the English language. After ten years overseas, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in the Summer of 2007. In May 2008 he founded SeekersGuidance to deal with the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge—both online and on the ground—in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner.