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Fatwa CenterThe names Rabaab and Mannaa‘ are not forbidden
Question
Alsalam Alaikum Someone told me the girls name Rabab is haram because it means lordship. And they used ayah 39 from surat Yusuf as proof when he said a'arbab. And this person also said the name mana' is haram because Allah uses this word in the quran in a negative way, surat Al-Qalam ayah 12, "mana' lil khayr". Are these names wrong and what should one do if they already have these names and are adults? Jazakum Allahu khair.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Although the word "rabaab" shares the same root R–B–B with the word "Rabb" (Lord), this does not prevent using it as a name. Allaah says (what means): {…but [instead, he would say], "Be pious scholars of the Lord (rabbaaniyyeen) because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied."} [Quran 3:79] According to some interpretations, the word "rabbaaniyyeen" is derived from "Rabb".
The same applies to the name "Mannaa‘"; it is permissible to use this name because Mannaa‘ may prevent good, as in the verse which you mentioned [Quran 68:12], and he may also prevent evil; Anas 
narrated that the Prophet 
said: "Some people open the door to good and close the door to evil, and some people open the door to evil and close the door to good. Glad tidings to those in whose hands Allaah places the keys to good, and woe to those in whose hands Allaah places the keys to evil." [Ibn Maajah]
For more benefit on the general guidelines of naming a newborn child, please refer to Fataawas 82724 and 87262.
Allaah Knows best.
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