Mahdi

♂ Boy

Pronounced MAH-dee /ˈmɑ.di/Medium

Meaning: From Arabic 'mahdi', 'the (rightly) guided one', a figure in Islamic eschatology.Medium

In 30 seconds: Mahdi comes from the Arabic 'mahdi', meaning 'the rightly guided one', a figure in Islamic eschatology.

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Origin MediumArabic, Persian

MeaningFrom Arabic 'mahdi', 'the (rightly) guided one', a figure in Islamic eschatology.

U.S. rank (2025)#1629 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births104 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,398

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Mahdi means 'the rightly guided one' in Arabic and names a redemptive figure in Islamic belief who is expected to bring justice. Because of that religious weight, the name carries deep significance in Muslim communities. Its meaning points to guidance and righteousness rather than to any worldly trait.

The Persian-influenced spelling Mehdi is the same name with a shifted vowel, common in Iran and among Persian speakers. The name's eschatological associations give it a solemn, hopeful tone.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Mahdi is 'guided one', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name - Mahdi — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

Mehdi

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Muhammad al-Mahdi
ninth-century figure regarded in Twelver Shia Islam as the hidden Imam

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mahdi mean?

Mahdi is usually explained as meaning 'guided one' and is most often linked with Arabic tradition.

How do you pronounce Mahdi?

It's commonly said MAH-dee /ˈmɑ.di/.

Is Mahdi a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Mahdi is used as a boy name.

How popular is Mahdi?

In 2024, Mahdi ranked #1600 in the U.S. for boys, with 107 births recorded.