Noya Faisal (the most beautiful & craziest thing that ever happend to me)

by Faisal Nasim
(Sharjah, UAE)

Noya's gender was no mystery to my wife & I, as we sought for it to be revealed during the mid term of her pregnancy. Primarily, we wanted the 'disclosure' for two reasons (if my memory serves me right!): (a)so we can buy the right clothes and toys (and ensure others did the same), and (b) to shortlist the names of our first bundle of joy.

Those were exciting and fun days (for me at least). I still remember pondering about varying names and then jotting them down, as and when I came across one. I also recollect having lengthy discussions with my female colleagues (with them being more excited and concerned than I, at times), on the various 'in vogue' names that can be considered.

The very first attempt to search for a name included online research on countless websites, numerous texts on baby names (first such book was shared by my brother, which was a small book comprising of Islamic names) and word of mouth (or rather lots of words from many mouths).

Moreover, as part of our religious tradition, it is quite common in our families to opt for Arabic names, which have strong and substantial meaning, from an Islamic perspective.

After much deliberations and brainstorming, we decided to name her 'Noya', which means beautiful or ornamented.

It checked almost all the boxes, i.e., an Arabic name, beautiful meaning, uncommon amongst our family, relatives and acquaintances, short and sweet and above all, a unanimous decision which clicked to us instantly (that doesn't happen too often, mind you!).

Noya, my love, stay blessed and healthy, and make mama and abba proud. :-) Xx