Mustafa Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Mustafa is an Arabic name meaning 'chosen one', derived from the root meaning 'to choose'. It has evolved through various forms and gained prominence in the Islamic world due to its association with the Prophet Muhammad. The name embodies traits of leadership and respect, with no direct biblical relevance.
The name Mustafa is most popular in New Jersey, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Mustafa has been too falling for male in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, too falling for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Mustafa' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7025th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2229th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1201st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1049th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 906th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Mustafa' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Mustafa"
Pronunciation
/mʌsˈtɑːfə/
Origin
Arabic
Etymology
The name Mustafa is derived from the Arabic root 'ṣ-f-y', meaning 'to choose' or 'to select'. It is often interpreted as 'the chosen one'.
Meaning
chosen one
Language Evolution
Mustafa (modern Arabic), Mustafā (classical Arabic), Mustafa (Ottoman Turkish)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the Islamic world due to its association with the Prophet Muhammad, who was often referred to as Mustafa.
Variants & Derivatives
Mustafah, Mushtafa, Moustafa
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Mustafa is a widely used name in Muslim-majority countries and among Arabic-speaking populations. It carries a positive connotation, often associated with leadership and respect.
Famous People
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk - Founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Ali - Professional wrestler, Mustafa Shakir - Actor
Explore More Mustafa Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Mustafa"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Mustafa"
"Mustafa" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 7025th of 7552 | 8 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2229th of 10718 | 290 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1201st of 16616 | 1,213 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1049th of 24088 | 2,599 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 906th of 23106 | 2,921 |
Regional Popularity of "Mustafa" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
57.71% 1695th/2937 |
30.58% 1065th/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
31.72% 1169th/3685 |
14.79% 662nd/4475 |
30.98% 1609th/5194 |
19.95% 1260th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
18.07% 828th/4582 |
13.94% 720th/5164 |
17.95% 1313th/7313 |
15.03% 1122nd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
19.03% 758th/3984 |
14.02% 629th/4487 |
16.26% 1109th/6822 |
15.95% 1001st/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Mustafa" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Mustafa"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Mustafa" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.