Seyed first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Seyed has been for the last 23 years (from 1979 to 2001) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Seyed

An Arabic masculine name meaning "lord" or "master".

Popularity of Seyed by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Seyed is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2001, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Seyed.

Year Male Count Female Count
2001 7 0
1999 5 0
1993 11 0
1992 7 0
1991 12 0
1990 7 0
1989 6 0
1988 5 0
1987 6 0
1985 6 0
1984 10 0
1983 9 0
1982 12 0
1981 7 0
1980 7 0
1979 5 0

The history of the first name Seyed

The given name Seyed has its origins in the Persian language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "sayyid," which means "lord" or "master." The name gained prominence in the Middle East and parts of Central Asia during the medieval period.

In the early days of Islam, the title "Sayyid" was bestowed upon the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, particularly those from the lineage of his grandson Husayn ibn Ali. This honorific title later evolved into a name used by Muslims, especially among the Shia community.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Seyed was Seyed Ali al-Ridha, also known as Imam Ali al-Ridha, who lived from 765 to 818 CE. He was the eighth Imam in Shia Islam and is revered for his profound knowledge and wisdom.

Another notable figure was Seyed Hossein Nasr, an Iranian philosopher and scholar born in 1933. He is widely regarded as a leading figure in the field of Islamic studies and has written extensively on topics such as Islamic philosophy, science, and spirituality.

Seyed Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, born in 1838, was a prominent Islamic philosopher and political activist who played a significant role in the late 19th century Islamic revival movement. He advocated for Muslim unity and resistance against Western imperialism.

Seyed Qutb, born in 1906, was an influential Egyptian author, literary critic, and a leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood. His writings, particularly his work "Milestones," had a profound impact on the development of Islamic revivalist thought and modern Islamist movements.

Seyed Mohammad Khatami, born in 1943, is an Iranian scholar, philosopher, and former President of Iran. He served as the fifth President from 1997 to 2005 and was known for his efforts to promote civil society, democracy, and dialogue among civilizations.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have carried the name Seyed throughout history, reflecting its deep roots in the Islamic tradition and its association with scholarship, philosophy, and leadership.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Seyed, 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!

"Seyed first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 3, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/seyed-meaning-and-history/.

"Seyed first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/seyed-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 3 June, 2025

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

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.