The nameMuhammad
Muhammad is an Arabic boy's name meaning "praised" or "praiseworthy". It is the name of the Prophet of Islam, and in England and Wales it has been the most popular boys' name since 2023.
- Boy's name
- Arabic
Meaning
Muhammad comes from the Arabic root h-m-d, "to praise". It means "the praised one" or "worthy of praise", and shares its root with Ahmad and Mahmoud.
Origin
Arabic. As the name of the Prophet Muhammad, born in Mecca around 570, it became the most widely given name across the Muslim world.
History
The name is written in many ways in English: Muhammad, Mohammed, Mohammad, Mohamed. In England and Wales the spelling Muhammad rose steadily and reached first place among boys in 2023, ahead of Noah and Oliver, and it kept that place in 2024 and 2025. In the United States it remains less common, though it entered the top 250 in 2024.
Did you know?
- Muhammad Yunus, pioneer of microcredit, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.
Famous people named Muhammad
- Muhammad Ali, boxer
- Muhammad Yunus, economist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate
- Muhammad Iqbal, poet and philosopher
Popularity of the name Muhammad
Muhammad in the United States
Muhammad was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 7,800 births over the decade, 38% of all recorded babies named Muhammad. Its rise began around 1993, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Muhammad in the United States were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,197 births a year on average, against 939 in the five years before.
Muhammad in the United Kingdom
Muhammad was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 35,266 births over the decade, 44% of all recorded babies named Muhammad. Half of all babies named Muhammad in the United Kingdom were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 5,078 births a year on average, against 3,823 in the five years before.
Muhammad in Ireland
Muhammad in France
Muhammad in Belgium
Muhammad in Austria
Muhammad in Norway
Sibling names for Muhammad
Names from the same generation as Muhammad, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Muhammad? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Muhammad with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Muhammad side by side with the name of your choice.
Muhammad in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Muhammad mean?
Muhammad comes from the Arabic root h-m-d, "to praise". It means "the praised one" or "worthy of praise", and shares its root with Ahmad and Mahmoud.
What is the origin of the name Muhammad?
Arabic. As the name of the Prophet Muhammad, born in Mecca around 570, it became the most widely given name across the Muslim world.
Is Muhammad a girl's or a boy's name?
Muhammad is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Muhammad?
In 2024, Muhammad was the 244th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,441 births.
What are good sibling names for Muhammad?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Zara, Juliette, Kamila and Amina for a sister, Amir, Yahya, Sullivan and Ronan for a brother.
Who are famous people named Muhammad?
Muhammad Ali, boxer; Muhammad Yunus, economist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Muhammad Iqbal, poet and philosopher.