Qais

Boy Name #3,212 Most Popular Hidden Gem 1 Syllable

An ancient Arabic name carrying a legendary love story

Arabic Muslim South Asian Middle Eastern

Classic Bold Traditional Strong

Meaning & Origin

"steadfast, resolute"

Origin: Arabic

Language: Arabic

Things to Know About This Name

Qais and Layla is a famous tragic Arabic love story, which may be seen as romantic or bittersweet

The Story of Qais

Qais is an ancient Arabic name meaning firm, hard, or strong. It has roots in pre-Islamic Arabia, borne by several notable tribal figures and poets. The name is most famous through the legendary love story of Qais and Layla, the Arabic equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, where Qais Ibn al-Mulawwah's all-consuming love for Layla drove him mad — earning him the epithet Majnun (the mad one). This story, known as Layla and Majnun, inspired poets from Rumi to Nizami.

Qais remains consistently popular across the Arab world and in Muslim communities in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Its literary immortality through the Layla and Majnun story has kept it culturally resonant for centuries.

The story of Qais and Layla is one of the great love tragedies of Arabic literature, comparable to Romeo and Juliet. The tale inspired Nizami Ganjavi's 12th-century Persian epic Layla and Majnun, and later influenced Rumi and countless other poets. The name carries the weight of passionate devotion and poetic tradition.

Fun Facts

Qais is the hero of the famous Arabic love story Layla and Majnun
The story inspired Nizami's 12th-century Persian epic poem
Eric Clapton's song Layla was inspired by this story

Qais in Other Languages

Urdu قیس

Arabic قيس

Persian قیس

Turkish Kays

Famous People Named Qais

Qais ibn al-Mulawwah (Majnun)

Writer

7th-century Arab poet known as Majnun (the mad one), protagonist of the legendary love story Layla and Majnun

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 1
Popularity Rank: #3,212
Total SSA Count: 37
Cultural Origins: Arabic Muslim South Asian Middle Eastern
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Formal
Cross-Cultural Ease: Low

Pairs Well With

Qais Tariq Qais Ahmad Qais Hassan Qais Omar Qais Faris Qais Zaid Qais Nabil

Sibling Names

Layla Yusuf Sara Khalid Nour Bilal Rania

Similar Names

Ace Pace Syed Jase Chace Chase Zahir Zayd

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Qais

What does the name Qais mean?

"steadfast, resolute" (from Arabic). Qais is an ancient Arabic name meaning firm, hard, or strong. It has roots in pre-Islamic Arabia, borne by several notable tribal figures and poets. The name is most famous through the legendary love story of Qais and Layla, the Arabic equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, where Qais Ibn al-Mulawwah's all-consuming love for Layla drove him mad — earning him the epithet Majnun (the mad one). This story, known as Layla and Majnun, inspired poets from Rumi to Nizami.

What is the origin of the name Qais?

Qais has Arabic, Muslim, South Asian, and Middle Eastern origins. In Arabic, it means "steadfast, resolute".

Is Qais a boy or girl name?

Qais is primarily used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Qais?

Qais is currently ranked #3212 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are good middle names for Qais?

Popular middle name pairings include Qais Tariq, Qais Ahmad, Qais Hassan, Qais Omar, Qais Faris, Qais Zaid, and Qais Nabil.

What are good sibling names for Qais?

Names that pair well with Qais as siblings include Layla, Yusuf, Sara, Khalid, Nour, Bilal, and Rania.

How many syllables does Qais have?

Qais has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Qais a common or rare name?

Qais is an uncommon name, ranked #3212 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Qais

Qais is a boy name with Arabic, Muslim, South Asian, and Middle Eastern origins . The name means "steadfast, resolute" in Arabic .

Qais is currently ranked #3,212 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Qais has 1 syllable, making it easy to pronounce and remember.