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Home › Baby Names Directory › Mustaf

Mustaf

♂ Boy

Pronounced MOOS-taf /ˈmuːs.tæf/Medium

Meaning: A Somali short spelling of Mustafa, Arabic for 'the chosen one; the selected' — one of the traditional epithets of the Prophet Muhammad. The clipped form is common in Somali records and in Somali diaspora communities.Low

In 30 seconds: Mustaf is a Somali short form of Mustafa — Arabic for 'the chosen one' (said 'MOOS-taf').
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Origin MediumSomali, Arabic
MeaningA Somali short spelling of Mustafa, Arabic for 'the chosen one; the selected' — one of the traditional epithets of the Prophet Muhammad. The clipped form is common in Somali records and in Somali diaspora communities.
U.S. rank (2024)#13558 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 125

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619982024

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

Mustaf is the clipped spelling of Mustafa, Arabic for 'the chosen one', long used as an epithet of the Prophet Muhammad. It is especially common among Somali families, in Somalia and in diaspora communities across the U.S., the U.K. and Scandinavia. Same name, shorter shape (said 'MOOS-taf').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, heritage-rich, and trim.

Did you know? Mustafa, 'the chosen one', is one of the honoured epithets of the Prophet Muhammad. Somali families often write the name in the trimmed form Mustaf, and it carries the same sense (said 'MOOS-taf').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Mustaf — Somali short form of Arabic Mustafa, 'the chosen one'

Variations

MustafaMustaphaMoustafa

Nicknames

MusTaf

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mustaf…

Mustafa— the full form of the same name
Abdirahman— a like Somali-Arabic pick
Hamza— a like classical Arabic name
Yusuf— another name shared across Somali and Arab families

Explore names like Mustaf

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mustaf mean?

Mustaf is a Somali short form of Mustafa, Arabic for 'the chosen one'.

How do you pronounce Mustaf?

It's said MOOS-taf /ˈmuːs.tæf/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Mustaf a boy or girl name?

Mustaf is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Mustaf?

Mustaf is a rare name for boys in the U.S.

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