Arabic name Saif

[Boulders]

Anyone know how to pronounce this correctly. Should it rhyme with knife? TIA.

[difficultdecision]

It would be pronounced Sayf (like safe)

It means swordand in arabic is spelt with the letters 'seen, yaa, faa' and the accent over the seen makes it into a 'sa' sound so sa-y-f.

[missorinoco]

As dd says.

[mrsbean78]

I only know one Saif but he goes CRAZY if you call him 'safe': he says it with a short vowel, e.g. 'sef'. Might not be 'correct' but it's definitely his opinion!

[Firawla]

it is actually pronounced the same as "safe"

[Boulders]

Interesting, my OH pronounces it 'sife' (he is south asian). I think I will discount the name as it will be too confusing.

[Boulders]

Interesting, my OH pronounces it 'sife' (he is south asian). I like it but think I will discount the name as it will be too confusing.

I also like the name Noor, but am worried that as it is used for girls and boys people will think it too feminine.

[Overmydeadbody]

It's pronounced kind of like knife, Suyf. Not pronounced like Safe.

[Overmydeadbody]

I think Noor is nice for a boy as a muslim name.

[mathanxiety]

I always thought Noor was a girl's name (Queen Noor, Jordan)

[Overmydeadbody]

mathanxiety it can be either.

[PacificDogwood]

The only Saif I know is a "Seff" (short vowel).

[Lors23]

My friend's boyfriend is called Saif and definitely pronounces it like "safe". didn't realise there were so many ways!

[mumoverseas]

Ref Noor, at DCs old school in the Middle East there were quite a few Noors and they were all girls. Never heard a boy called that.

[saadia]

All the male Noors I've known - including my grandfather - have it with something eg Muhammad Noor or Noor Muhammad.

[Boulders]

Thanks and sorry to add o such an old thread but as you were so helpful before......can you tell me how to pronounce the arabic name Na'el/Nael.

[Xavielli]

There is a Saif in my sons class at school and it is pronounced 'Sef'