Kuala Lumpur: The names Muhammad, Abdul, Nur and Siti continue to top Malaysia’s baby name charts, reflecting deep cultural roots and Islamic identity, according to the National Registration Department (JPN).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, JPN director-general Badrul Hisham Alias stated that these names are often selected due to their strong ties to Islamic identity and Malay heritage. He explained that names such as Muhammad, Abdul, Nur, and Siti are usually followed by a second name, with parents deriving inspiration from baby name books, parenting websites, the Quran, hadiths, or language experts.

Badrul Hisham highlighted that today’s parents prefer names that are easy to pronounce and remember while carrying positive meanings. He noted that Islamic and Arabic-inspired names like Aisyah, Maryam, and Rayyan remain popular for their meanings. Additionally, there is a growing trend of parents modifying traditional spellings to give a modern twist, such as spelling Amir as Ameer and Zahra as Zara.

JPN records reveal that the longest registered name consists of 15 words, while the shortest is a mere two letters. While creativity in naming is encouraged, Badrul Hisham advised parents to consult JPN if uncertain about name choices to avoid registration issues. Under Section 16 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957 (Act 299) for Peninsular Malaysia, the Registrar-General holds the authority to accept or reject names.

Official guidelines introduced by JPN categorize names into objectionable names, undesirable names, and names linked to ancestry. Titles like Tan Sri, Datuk, Tun, Haji, Nabi, Governor, Dr, and Mahaguru are prohibited. Parents are also advised against using names associated with animals, fruits, vegetables, objects, or abbreviations like D, Mohd, Abd, or M.

For hereditary titles such as Tengku, Megat, and Puteri, JPN evaluates the authenticity of inheritance before approval. The guidelines also apply to non-Muslim families, prohibiting names that imply divinity.