Question:
My name is Sayyid, and I am 45 years old. My family name is Kattuppa. A certain scholar said that this name has no meaning in Arabic or Tamil, and that I will be questioned about it on the Day of Judgment. Is this true?
Answer:
There is no obligation to have a name that carries a specific meaning. Many of the Companions (sahabah) had names and nicknames that were not necessarily meaningful. Some were even humorous or descriptive. There is no sin in having such names unless they carry a bad meaning or imply something contrary to Islamic beliefs.
The name “Kattuppa” likely comes from “Kattu Bhava,” a term associated with a local saint or tradition. This is a family or clan name, not a name chosen to worship someone else. There is no Islamic prohibition against using such names, especially if they are simply family identifiers and not intended to glorify false beliefs.
You will not be questioned on the Day of Judgment for having a name that is culturally derived, as long as it does not contain anything that contradicts iman (faith). Scholars should be careful not to cause unnecessary worry about such matters.