A Name Story by Houdhoud
خَلِيل
Khalil
kha-LEEL
“Close friend, beloved.”
About Khalil
Khalil is a Muslim baby boy's name meaning "close friend, beloved" — an Arabic name carried for centuries across the Muslim world.
From the Arabic root خ-ل-ل meaning 'intimate friendship'. Ibrahim ﷺ is called 'Khalilullah' (the close friend of God) in the Qur'an.
Widely used across Arab families.
Origin & roots
Origin
Arabic
Gender
Boy
Also spelled
Khaleel
Root letters
In Arabic, root letters are the seed that gives a word its meaning. Every word built from them inherits that family of meaning — and Khalil is one such word.
Across history
Who has carried Khalil before.
- Khalil Gibran (1883–1931), Lebanese-American poet
How to say it
Stressed syllable in capitals
Discover names like Khalil
Other names with the same heart — close in origin, sound, and spirit.
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“Most praised (Turkish form of Ahmad).”
ma-ma-DOO · Arabic
“Muhammad (West African form).”
YOO-soof · Turkish · Arabic
“Yusuf (Joseph) — Turkish usage.”
hu-SAYN · Arabic
“Beautiful (diminutive).”
sa-LAAH · Arabic
“Goodness, righteousness.”
abd-ar-rah-MAAN · Arabic
“Servant of the Most Merciful.”
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