زَايِد
Boy Arabic origin Zāyid
“The one who grows, who increases”; a wish for prosperity
The name is not in the Quran, but its root announces the extra grace promised to believers: “For those who do good, the best reward, and more (ziyada)” (10:26); “they will have therein whatever they wish, and with Us is more (mazid)” (50:35).
Zayid is the active participle of zada, “to grow, to increase” (root z-y-d, that of Zayd, Ziyad and Yazid): one who grows and prospers, a wish for growth and abundance for the child. The name is borne above all in the United Arab Emirates, where it evokes Sheikh Zayid ibn Sultan, the country’s founder.
The name Zayed does not appear as such in the Quran, but its root (ز ي د) occurs 61 times. Examples:
لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا۟ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ وَزِيَادَةٌ وَلَا يَرْهَقُ وُجُوهَهُمْ قَتَرٌ وَلَا ذِلَّةٌ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْجَنَّةِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ ٢٦
For them who have done good is the best [reward] - and extra. No darkness will cover their faces, nor humiliation. Those are companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ جَاعِلِ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ رُسُلًا أُو۟لِىٓ أَجْنِحَةٍ مَّثْنَىٰ وَثُلَٰثَ وَرُبَٰعَ يَزِيدُ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ مَا يَشَآءُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ ١
[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Creator of the heavens and the earth, [who] made the angels messengers having wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
لَهُم مَّا يَشَآءُونَ فِيهَا وَلَدَيْنَا مَزِيدٌ ٣٥
They will have whatever they wish therein, and with Us is more.
All the words of the root ز ي د in the Quran (61 occurrences)
No text or scholarly opinion concerns the name Zayed in particular: the general rules of Islam apply.
Read the rules for choosing a name
This page is an aid to reflection, not a fatwa. For a personal case, ask a person of knowledge.
