Rising since 1985, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Moustafa since 1985
Babies named Moustafa per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 28 |
| 1990s | 112 |
| 2000s | 105 |
| 2010s | 78 |
| 2020s | 33 |
Meaning & origin
Moustafa, a variant of Mustafa, entered U.S. records in 1985 and has seen modest but steady use. Its peak popularity occurred in 1999, reflecting broader trends in Arabic name adoption among American families. The name remains relatively uncommon, with about 1 in every 341,615 male newborns receiving it in 2025, consistent with its trajectory of gradual growth since its first recording. As a name closely tied to Islamic tradition, Moustafa carries cultural and religious significance for many families, though its appeal extends to those seeking a distinctive name with a powerful meaning of selection and honor.
Moustafa is a variant transliteration of Mustafa, an Arabic name derived from the verb 'ṣṭf' meaning 'to choose' or 'to select.' It is one of the honorific names of the Prophet Muhammad, often rendered as 'al-Mustafa' (the Chosen One). The name has been widely used across the Muslim world for centuries, appearing in various spellings as it traveled through different cultures and languages.
“Moustafa” around the world
Where Moustafa lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Moose, Musti, Tafa
Sibling names for Moustafa
Names that share Moustafa's style, for a brother or sister.
