Holding steady, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Mahmud since 1980
Babies named Mahmud per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 34 |
| 2000s | 59 |
| 2010s | 83 |
| 2020s | 58 |
Meaning & origin
Mahmud is a name of Arabic origin meaning 'praiseworthy', derived from the same root as Muhammad. It has been a staple in Muslim cultures for centuries, favored for its religious resonance and noble connotations. In the United States, Mahmud has been in consistent but low usage since at least 1980, with a rank of 12,008 in 2025 and a peak year of 2022. The name's trajectory has remained stable over recent decades, reflecting a steady but modest presence among baby names. Its 1-in-341,615 frequency indicates it is a relatively rare choice, likely preferred by families seeking a traditional Arabic name with strong cultural and historical ties.
Mahmud is a direct Arabic name derived from the root ḥ-m-d, meaning 'to praise'. It shares this root with Muhammad and Ahmad, and has been a popular name across the Islamic world for over a millennium. The name appears in early Islamic history and has been borne by several sultans and scholars, including Mahmud of Ghazni, the 11th-century ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire.
“Mahmud” around the world
Where Mahmud lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Mahmud
Names that share Mahmud's style, for a brother or sister.
