Find out how popular the first name Ahmad has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ahmad by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ahmad is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 100% of people named Ahmad being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 392 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ahmad.

The history of the first name Ahmad

The name Ahmad has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the Semitic root ḥ-m-d, which means "to praise" or "to extol." It is a masculine given name that has been in use for centuries in the Arab world and among Muslim communities worldwide.

Ahmad is considered one of the most revered names in Islamic tradition, as it is one of the names attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. The name is mentioned in several authentic hadiths, which are the recorded sayings and teachings of the Prophet. According to these hadiths, the Prophet Muhammad was given the name Ahmad by Allah, which means "the most praised one."

The earliest recorded use of the name Ahmad can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the early Islamic era. It was a popular name among the companions of the Prophet and their descendants.

Throughout history, there have been numerous notable figures who bore the name Ahmad. One of the most famous was Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (780-855 CE), an influential Muslim scholar and theologian who founded the Hanbali school of Islamic jurisprudence. Another prominent individual was Ahmad al-Ghazali (1058-1111 CE), a renowned Persian philosopher, theologian, and mystic who made significant contributions to Islamic thought.

In the field of literature, Ahmad Shawqi (1868-1932) was an Egyptian poet and playwright who is considered one of the greatest literary figures in the Arabic language. Another noteworthy bearer of the name was Ahmad Shakir (1892-1958), an Egyptian writer, journalist, and activist who played a crucial role in the Arab nationalist movement.

More recently, Ahmad Jamal (born 1930) is a renowned American jazz pianist and composer who has had a profound impact on the genre. Ahmad Rashad (born 1949) is a former professional football player and sports broadcaster who has been a prominent figure in American sports media.

The name Ahmad has maintained its popularity and significance throughout the centuries, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. It continues to be a widely used name among Muslims around the world, carrying with it a rich historical and religious significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ahmad was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ahmad, please contact us.

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