Rising since 1985, #2,207 for boys today.
Popularity of Mahmoud since 1968
Babies named Mahmoud per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 90 |
| 1980s | 268 |
| 1990s | 661 |
| 2000s | 692 |
| 2010s | 669 |
| 2020s | 349 |
Meaning & origin
Mahmoud, an Arabic name meaning 'praiseworthy', shares its root with the name Muhammad and has deep historical ties to the Islamic world. In the United States, the name first appeared on the Social Security list in 1968, with a peak in usage in 2018. Since 1985, its trajectory has been rising, reflecting increased cultural diversity. In 2025, Mahmoud ranked 2207 nationally, with about 1 in every 26,689 newborn boys receiving it. The name is most common in New Jersey, Illinois, and New York, states with significant Arab American communities. Mahmoud remains a steady, traditional choice among families honoring Arabic heritage.
Mahmoud is the Arabic name Muḥammad (محمود), derived from the Arabic root Ḥ-M-D, meaning 'to praise'. It is a theophoric name closely associated with the Prophet Muhammad, though it predates Islam in pre-Islamic Arabic poetry. The name has been borne across the Arabic-speaking world for centuries and remains popular in many Muslim-majority countries.
Where Mahmoud is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mahmoud” around the world
Where Mahmoud lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Moe, Moudy
Sibling names for Mahmoud
Names that share Mahmoud's style, for a brother or sister.
