Find out how popular the first name Mostafa has been for the last 46 years (from 1978 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mostafa by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Mostafa is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Mostafa.

The history of the first name Mostafa

The name Mostafa traces its origins to the Arabic language and Islamic culture. It is derived from the Arabic root word "mustafa," which means "the chosen one" or "the elect." The name is closely associated with the Prophet Muhammad, whose honorific title was "al-Mustafa," signifying his status as the chosen messenger of God.

The name Mostafa first appeared in the 7th century CE, during the advent of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. It gained widespread popularity among Muslims who sought to honor the Prophet Muhammad by naming their children after his revered title. The name has been used throughout the Arab world, as well as in regions influenced by Islamic culture and traditions.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Mostafa can be found in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, which refers to Prophet Muhammad as "al-Mustafa" in several verses. This association with the Prophet contributed to the name's significance and its widespread adoption among Muslims.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Mostafa. One of the earliest examples is Mostafa al-Banna (1278-1354 CE), an Egyptian Sufi scholar and mystic who played a significant role in the development of Islamic thought during the Mamluk period. Another prominent figure was Mostafa Kamil (1874-1908), an Egyptian nationalist leader and advocate for Egyptian independence from British colonial rule.

In the 20th century, Mostafa El-Nahaas (1879-1965) was an influential Egyptian politician who served as Prime Minister of Egypt from 1928 to 1929 and again from 1930 to 1936. Mostafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder of modern Turkey, was also known by his given name Mostafa, although he later adopted the surname Atatürk.

Another notable figure was Mostafa Moin (1910-1979), an Iranian scholar and linguist who played a crucial role in the standardization of the Persian language and the development of the Persian Academy. Mostafa Zamani (1934-2021) was an Iranian musician and composer who made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional Persian music.

The name Mostafa has endured as a popular choice among Muslims worldwide, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural and religious significance. Its association with the Prophet Muhammad and its meaning of "the chosen one" have imbued the name with a sense of honor and distinction throughout its long history.

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 Mostafa was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!