Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Muhammad
BoyArabic· “praised, praiseworthy”
- Meaning
- praised, praiseworthy
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- moo-HAH-muhd
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #239
- US babies 2025
- 1,473
- Best rank
- #239 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Muhammad
Muhammad is an Arabic name that means “praised, praiseworthy”.
Muhammad comes from the Arabic root hamida, to praise, and means praised or praiseworthy. It is the name of the Prophet of Islam, and for that reason it is one of the most widely given names in the world. Families across the Middle East, South Asia, Africa and beyond use it, often as a first name followed by a second name used in daily life. Spellings vary, including Mohammed, Mohamed and Muhammed, reflecting different transliterations and regional pronunciations. The name carries a deep sense of honor and devotion for many families.
Popularity over time
Muhammad first appears in US Social Security records in 1929. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 47 different years, starting in 1976. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #239, and its highest count, 1,473 babies. Use has grown 67% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #979 in 1980, #618 in 2000, #506 in 2010, and #239 in 2025. Of the 21,962 US boys named Muhammad since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 7,462 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Zayn, Crew, Ismael, Shepherd, and Ronan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Muhammad ranked highest in New York, Maryland, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #39 | 360 |
| Maryland | #92 | 61 |
| Illinois | #110 | 108 |
| Virginia | #120 | 71 |
| Pennsylvania | #150 | 87 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Muhammad is usually pronounced moo-HAH-muhd, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with M and ends in “-ad”.
Middle names for Muhammad
A few middle names that flow with Muhammad: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Muhammad
Similar names
Ahmad Boy
AH-mahd
“most praised” · Arabic
#669
Ibrahim Boy
ihb-rah-HEEM
“father of multitudes” · Arabic
#351
Mohamed Boy
moh-HAH-mehd
“praised, praiseworthy” · Arabic
#527
Omari Boy
oh-MAHR-ee
“Swahili form of Omar; life, flourishing” · Swahili
#687
Abdullah Boy
ab-DUHL-uh
“servant of God” · Arabic
#763
Mustafa Boy
moos-TAH-fuh
“the chosen one” · Arabic
#761
Amiri Unisex
uh-MEER-ee
“princely, commander” · Arabic
#604
Saad Boy
SAHD
“good fortune” · Arabic
#2,353
Asad Boy
AH-sahd
“lion” · Arabic
#1,919
Fahad Boy
FAH-hahd
“panther, lynx” · Arabic
#2,459
Conrad Boy
KAHN-rad
“bold counsel” · German
#417
Amir Boy
uh-MEER
“prince, commander” · Arabic
#105
Lists that include Muhammad
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Muhammad mean?
Muhammad is an Arabic name that means “praised, praiseworthy”.
What is the origin of the name Muhammad?
Muhammad has Arabic roots. Muhammad comes from the Arabic root hamida, to praise, and means praised or praiseworthy.
Is Muhammad a popular name?
Yes. Muhammad ranked #239 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Muhammad a boy or girl name?
Muhammad is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Muhammad?
Muhammad is usually pronounced moo-HAH-muhd. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings