Rising since 1989, #239 for boys today.
Popularity of Muhammad since 1929
Babies named Muhammad per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 10 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 53 |
| 1970s | 524 |
| 1980s | 1,023 |
| 1990s | 1,727 |
| 2000s | 3,357 |
| 2010s | 7,801 |
| 2020s | 7,462 |
Meaning & origin
Muhammad, rooted in the Arabic word for 'praiseworthy,' holds profound significance as the name of the Prophet of Islam. Although first recorded in U.S. data in 1929, its use has grown substantially, reaching a peak rank of 239 in 2025, with a one-in-1160 occurrence. The name's trajectory has been steadily rising since 1989, reflecting increasing cultural diversity. Concentrated in states like New York, Maryland, and Delaware, Muhammad is a familiar choice among Muslim-American families, carrying deep religious and cultural resonance.
Muhammad derives from the Arabic root ḥ-m-d, meaning 'to praise.' It is the name of the Prophet of Islam, making it one of the most common names in the Muslim world. Its use in the United States has grown steadily as the Muslim population has increased.
Where Muhammad is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Muhammad” around the world
Where Muhammad lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
190
babies in 2024
Ireland
#35
in 2025
New Zealand
#99
in 2025
Quebec
13
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#21
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mo, Ham, Moe
Sibling names for Muhammad
Names that share Muhammad's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aisha, Fatima, Amina, Zainab, Khadija, Khadijah, Maryam, Khadeeja, Khadeejah, Khadejah, Maimuna, Makkah
Brothers: Ali, Hassan, Hussein, Ibrahim, Yusuf, Quran, Yousef, Abdallah, Ibraheem, Ismail, Jibril, Jihad, Zakaria, Abdulmalik, Ahmaad, Jibreel, Yaqub, Abdulkareem, Abdulloh, Abdurrahman, Daud, Ibrohim, Ismaeel, Mujahid, Yousaf, Yussef, Zakariyya, Abdulahad, Abdulraheem, Abdulrahim, Amadu, Amahd, Arafat, Muzammil, Rasool
Names like Muhammad
Names whose popularity has moved with Muhammad's over the last 50 years.
