Declining since 2017, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Mukhtar since 1984
Babies named Mukhtar per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 30 |
| 2010s | 84 |
| 2020s | 35 |
Meaning & origin
Mukhtar is a name of Arabic origin meaning 'chosen,' rooted in the concept of divine selection. In the United States, its recorded usage began in 1984, and it saw a peak in popularity in 2018. However, the name has been on a declining trend since 2017, and as of 2025 it ranks 7,679, with only about 1 in 170,808 boys receiving the name that year. The name is predominantly masculine and is most common among families with Arabic or Islamic heritage. While its frequency is modest, Mukhtar carries deep historical and cultural resonance, particularly in the Muslim world, associated with leadership and honor.
Mukhtar derives from the Arabic root kh-y-r, meaning 'to choose' or 'to prefer.' It is an active participle meaning 'chosen' or 'selected.' The name has been used across the Muslim world for centuries, often in reference to divine selection or leadership. It gained prominence through historical figures like Al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafi, an early Islamic leader, and remains a common given name in many Arabic-speaking and Muslim-majority countries.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mukhi, Mukky
Variants: Mokhtar, Mukhtaar, Muktar
Sibling names for Mukhtar
Names that share Mukhtar's style, for a brother or sister.
