Short answer
It depends on the name. Biblical names that belong to prophets or righteous people, such as Joshua, Noah, Adam, David, Joseph, Sarah or Mary, are permissible, and their Arabic forms are recommended. Names tied to Christian belief or worship, such as Christian or Emmanuel, are not allowed in the Hanafi school.
A name is permissible if its meaning is good and it is not a mark of another religion. Names of prophets are mustahabb in any language. Names that express another faith's creed, or that are used only by followers of another religion, are prohibited because they imitate them.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
When the Christians of Najran asked about Maryam being called "sister of Harun", the Prophet ﷺ explained that people used to name their children after the prophets and righteous people before them. Many names in the Bible are names Muslims share: Adam, Noah (Nuh), Abraham (Ibrahim), Joseph (Yusuf), Moses (Musa), David (Dawud), Solomon (Sulayman), John (Yahya), Jesus (Isa), Mary (Maryam) and Sarah. Muslim scholars generally identify Joshua with Yusha' ibn Nun, the successor of Musa. Using these in English or Arabic is fine.
Names to avoid:
- Names that state Christian belief, such as Christian, Christopher (Christ-bearer) or Emmanuel (God with us).
- Names known only as saints' names or that tie the child to another faith's worship.
- Names of false gods or with a bad meaning.
Neutral English names: a name such as Grace, Rose or Lily that has a good meaning and is common to everyone is permissible. A Muslim name does not have to be Arabic. Still, many parents choose a name that is easy to say in the West and clearly Muslim, such as Adam, Sara, Yusuf or Maryam, which works well in both worlds.
The general rules are in best names and names to avoid, and for prophets' names see naming after a prophet. New Muslims who already have a Christian name should read changing your name on converting.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Maryam 19:28
يَٰٓأُخْتَ هَٰرُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ ٱمْرَأَ سَوْءٍۢ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّۭا ﴿٢٨﴾
O sister of Aaron, your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste."
The ayah the people of Najran asked about, which led to the Prophet's explanation of naming.
Sahih Muslim 2135
Sahih... إنهم كانوا يسمون بأنبيائهم والصالحين قبلهم ...
"They used to name their children after their prophets and the righteous people before them."
Shows that names of prophets and righteous people, shared with earlier communities, are good names.
Sunan Abi Dawud 4031
Graded hasan sahih... من تشبه بقوم فهو منهم ...
"Whoever imitates a people is one of them."
The basis for avoiding names that are a mark of another religion.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, chapter on names and kunyas. Lists permitted and disliked names.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hazr wa al-Ibahah, discussion of names. Hanafi discussion of names that are not allowed.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.