Moustapha first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Moustapha has been for the last 30 years (from 1995 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Moustapha

From Arabic roots, meaning "the chosen one" or "worthy of esteem".

Popularity of Moustapha by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Moustapha is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 12 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Moustapha.

Year Male Count Female Count
2024 12 0
2023 19 0
2022 15 0
2021 7 0
2020 18 0
2019 13 0
2018 9 0
2017 19 0
2016 15 0
2015 18 0
2014 15 0
2013 15 0
2012 10 0
2011 14 0
2010 17 0
2009 6 0
2008 6 0
2007 12 0
2006 14 0
2005 23 0
2004 12 0
2003 18 0
2002 15 0
2001 14 0
2000 9 0
1999 7 0
1998 6 0
1997 9 0
1996 11 0
1995 6 0

The history of the first name Moustapha

The given name Moustapha has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the root word "mustafa", which means "the chosen one" or "the elect". This name holds significant importance in the Islamic faith as it was one of the honorific titles bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad.

The name Moustapha can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the early years of Islam's emergence in the Arabian Peninsula. It was commonly used among the Arab tribes and quickly spread to other regions as Islam expanded. The name's popularity was closely tied to the reverence and admiration for the Prophet Muhammad, who was often referred to as "al-Mustafa" by his followers.

In the Islamic tradition, the name Moustapha is mentioned in various religious texts and historical accounts. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, refers to the Prophet Muhammad as "the chosen one" or "the elect", reinforcing the meaning associated with this name. Additionally, numerous hadith (sayings and traditions of the Prophet) and biographical works on the life of Muhammad further solidify the significance of this name.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Moustapha can be found in the works of Islamic scholars and historians from the 8th and 9th centuries CE, such as Ibn Ishaq and Al-Waqidi, who documented the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Moustapha, including:

  1. Moustapha al-Bakri (1014-1094 CE), a renowned Andalusian scholar and geographer who authored the influential work "Book of Roads and Kingdoms".
  2. Moustapha Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, who played a pivotal role in the modernization and secularization of the country.
  3. Moustapha Akkad (1909-2005), a Syrian-American film producer and director, best known for producing the iconic horror film franchise "Halloween".
  4. Moustapha Chouair (1912-1997), a Lebanese poet and writer, considered one of the pioneers of modern Arabic poetry.
  5. Moustapha Ouali (born 1944), a Moroccan artist and calligrapher, known for his modern interpretations of Arabic calligraphy.

These are just a few examples of the numerous individuals who have carried the name Moustapha throughout history, reflecting its deep-rooted cultural and religious significance across various regions and eras.

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

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

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"Moustapha first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 13, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/moustapha-meaning-and-history/.

"Moustapha first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/moustapha-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 August, 2025

Moustapha first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/moustapha-meaning-and-history/.

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