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Mustafa

♂ Boy

Pronounced moos-TAH-fah /musˈtɑː.fɑ/High

Meaning: The chosen one or the elect; from the Arabic mustafa, the passive participle of the verb istafa meaning to choose or select, one of the epithets of the Prophet MuhammadHigh

In 30 seconds: Mustafa means the chosen one in Arabic, a revered title for the Prophet Muhammad widely used as a given name across the Islamic world from Turkey and Egypt to Pakistan and Indonesia.
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Origin HighArabic
MeaningThe chosen one or the elect; from the Arabic mustafa, the passive participle of the verb istafa meaning to choose or select, one of the epithets of the Prophet Muhammad
U.S. rank (2025)#761 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births339 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,370

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519632025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Mustafa derives from the Arabic verb istafa (to choose or select), giving the passive form mustafa, meaning the one who has been chosen or the elect. It is among the most common given names in the Islamic world, used as one of the epithets of the Prophet Muhammad.

Mustafa has been one of the most popular male names across the Arab world, Turkey, Iran, and South Asia for over a thousand years. It was borne by several Ottoman sultans and by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded the Republic of Turkey in 1923. In the West, it has gained broader recognition through diaspora communities.

Did you know? Al-Mustafa (the Chosen) is one of the 99 names of the Prophet Muhammad in Islamic tradition. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, made the name globally recognizable in a secular context, bearing it as his birth name before adopting the surname Ataturk.
Overall data confidence 97%
Behind the Name — Mustafa — Arabic etymology and Islamic usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MostafaMustaphaMustafe

Nicknames

MustiMusa

Famous Bearers

  • ★Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (1881–1938)
    Turkish military officer and statesman who founded the Republic of Turkey in 1923 and served as its first president, modernizing the nation.
  • ★Mustafa (singer) (1990–present)
    Canadian singer-songwriter and activist from Toronto, known for his atmospheric debut album Stay Alive and his work on community issues.

If you like Mustafa…

Muhammad— shares the status as one of the most common Islamic given names worldwide
Ibrahim— fellow Quranic Arabic name with Prophet-era significance
Omar— same classical Arabic origin used across the Islamic world
Khalil— shares the Arabic root and widespread use in Muslim communities

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mustafa mean?

Mustafa means the chosen one or the elect, from the Arabic root istafa meaning to choose, used as an epithet of the Prophet Muhammad.

How do you pronounce Mustafa?

It is said moos-TAH-fah, three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Mustafa a common name?

Yes, Mustafa is one of the most common names across the Arab world, Turkey, and Muslim communities globally.

Is Mustafa an Islamic name?

Yes, Mustafa is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition as one of the titles of the Prophet Muhammad.