How is it to give the names Zunaira and Nimal?

The principle: the name should have a good meaning, should have no aspect of shirk/kufr, and should not point to a bad attribute.

1. Zunayra (Zunaira): a beautiful and meaningful name — "flower of Paradise / the beauty of Paradise". It is the name of the Companion Hazrat Zunayra, may Allah be pleased with her — she was among the earliest Muslim women; on accepting Islam the polytheists inflicted severe torment on her until her eyesight was lost, then Allah restored it miraculously. It is not only permissible, it is also blessed because of its connection with a Companion.

2. Nimal (Nimal): in Arabic, "ant"; attributed to the Qur'an's Surah an-Naml. Its literal meaning is ant, but because of its connection with the Qur'an it is considered blessed; there is no aspect of shirk/kufr — it is permissible in Shariah.

Summary: both names are permissible; Zunaira is more blessed because of its connection with a Companion.

Translated from the original Urdu fatwa.