JPN director-general Badrul Hisham Alias said these names are often chosen for their strong ties to Islamic identity and Malay heritage.

“Names like Muhammad, Abdul, Nur and Siti are commonly followed by a second name. Parents typically draw inspiration from baby-name books, parenting websites, the Quran, hadiths, or language experts before making their choice,” he told Bernama recently.

He noted that parents today tend to favour names that are not only easy to pronounce and remember but also carry positive meanings. Islamic and Arabic-inspired names such as Aisyah, Maryam and Rayyan remain popular for their beautiful meanings, he said.

Badrul Hisham also observed a growing trend of parents altering the spelling of traditional names to add a modern touch, with Amir now often spelled as Ameer and Zahra as Zara.

JPN records show that the longest registered name contains 15 words, while the shortest is just two letters. While creativity is welcomed, he advises parents to consult JPN if they have any uncertainty over name choices, to avoid complications during registration.

Under Section 16 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1957 (Act 299) for peninsular Malaysia, the registrar-general has the authority to accept or reject a name.

JPN has also introduced official guidelines for naming children, which highlight three categories – objectionable names (including ranks and titles), undesirable names, and names linked to ancestry.

“Titles such as Tan Sri, Datuk, Tun, Haji, Nabi, Governor, Dr and Mahaguru are prohibited,” Badrul Hisham pointed out.

Parents are also advised against naming children after animals, fruits, vegetables or objects, while abbreviations such as D, Mohd, Abd or M are not permitted.

For hereditary titles such as Tengku, Megat and Puteri, JPN will assess whether the title is genuinely inherited before approving its use.

Non-Muslim families are also required to adhere to naming guidelines, which prohibit names that imply divinity, he added.