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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mukhtar

Mukhtar

♂ Boy

Pronounced mook-TAR /mʊkˈtɑːr/Medium

Meaning: Mukhtar is Arabic for 'chosen' or 'select.' The same word serves as a title: in parts of the Arab world and the former Ottoman lands, the mukhtar is the elected head of a village or neighbourhood. As a given name it is widely borne across the Muslim world, and we note its background respectfully.High

In 30 seconds: Arabic for 'chosen' — and the title of a village headman (said 'mook-TAR').
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Origin HighArabic
MeaningMukhtar is Arabic for 'chosen' or 'select.' The same word serves as a title: in parts of the Arab world and the former Ottoman lands, the mukhtar is the elected head of a village or neighbourhood. As a given name it is widely borne across the Muslim world, and we note its background respectfully.
U.S. rank (2023)#10442 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 144

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201819842023

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

Mukhtar is Arabic for 'chosen' or 'select.' The word doubles as a civic title — the mukhtar being the elected head of a village or urban quarter in much of the Arab world and the former Ottoman lands — and it is widely given as a personal name across Muslim communities. We treat both senses respectfully (said 'mook-TAR').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S., while remaining familiar across the Arabic-speaking world. Rare here, established there.

Did you know? Mukhtar means 'chosen' in Arabic — and the same word names an office: the mukhtar is the elected head of a village or neighbourhood in parts of the Arab world. One word, a name and a job at once (said 'mook-TAR').
Overall data confidence 70%
References — Mukhtar — Arabic 'chosen'; also a civic title (village headman)

Variations

MuktarMokhtarMukthar

Nicknames

MukTarMokh

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mukhtar…

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Munir— a like Mu- opening in sound
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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mukhtar mean?

Mukhtar is Arabic for 'chosen' or 'select'; the same word is also the title of an elected village or neighbourhood head.

How do you pronounce Mukhtar?

It's said mook-TAR /mʊkˈtɑːr/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Mukhtar a boy or girl name?

Mukhtar is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Mukhtar?

Mukhtar is a rare name for boys in the U.S., though established across the Arabic-speaking world.

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