"the pure and selected"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Mustafa
Pronunciation: [ m-oost-AHF-uh ]
Does Mustafa flow with your last name?
A sacred Islamic name meaning the chosen one
Arabic
Turkish
Muslim
North African
Middle Eastern
Spiritual
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Mustafa
Mustafa comes from the Arabic root s-f-w, meaning to choose or to be pure. It is a title meaning the chosen one or the selected, and is one of the honorific names of the Prophet Muhammad in Islam. Because of this sacred association, Mustafa is one of the most widely used names in the Muslim world.
Mustafa has been a perennially popular name across the Muslim world for centuries. In Turkey, it gained additional prominence through Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, making it synonymous with modernization and national pride.
Mustafa is one of the most profound names a Muslim family can give a son, as it is a title of the Prophet Muhammad. In Turkish culture, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk made the name synonymous with the birth of the modern Turkish state.
Historical Record
Mustafa first appeared in US Social Security records in 1963.
Over 7,031 babies have been named Mustafa in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mustafa is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #821 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mustafa is one of the most common names in Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco
- Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Republic of Turkey in 1923 after the fall of the Ottoman Empire
Mustafa in Other Languages
Urdu
مصطفیٰ
Arabic
مصطفى
French
Mustapha
Persian
مصطفی
Turkish
Mustafa
Popularity Over Time
#821
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mustafa
M
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
Military
1881
Founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey
M
Mustafa Scar Fictional
Other
The villain Scar from The Lion King has the birth name Askari, but related fictional lion Mustafa appears in the 2019 fi...
The villain Scar from The Lion King has the birth name Askari, but related fictional lion Mustafa appears in the 2019 film
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #821
- Total SSA Count
- 304
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Turkish Muslim North African Middle Eastern
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Musta
Tafa
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mustafa
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Arabic)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mustafa
What does the name Mustafa mean?
"the pure and selected" (from Arabic). Mustafa comes from the Arabic root s-f-w, meaning to choose or to be pure. It is a title meaning the chosen one or the selected, and is one of the honorific names of the Prophet Muhammad in Islam. Because of this sacred association, Mustafa is one of the most widely used names in the Muslim world.
What is the origin of the name Mustafa?
Mustafa has Arabic, Turkish, Muslim, North African, and Middle Eastern origins. In Arabic, it means "the pure and selected".
Is Mustafa a boy or girl name?
Mustafa is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Mustafa?
Mustafa is pronounced m-oost-AHF-uh.
How popular is the name Mustafa?
Mustafa is currently ranked #821 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mustafa?
Common nicknames for Mustafa include Musta and Tafa.
What are good middle names for Mustafa?
Popular middle name pairings include Mustafa Ali, Mustafa Hassan, Mustafa Nabil, Mustafa Ibrahim, Mustafa Omar, and Mustafa Khalid.
What are good sibling names for Mustafa?
Names that pair well with Mustafa as siblings include Fatima, Ibrahim, Aisha, Yusuf, Khadija, and Omar.
How many syllables does Mustafa have?
Mustafa has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Mustafa a common or rare name?
Mustafa is moderately common, ranked #821 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Mustafa?
Are there other spellings for Mustafa?
Related spellings include Mustafo.
About the Name Mustafa
Mustafa is a boy name with Arabic, Turkish, Muslim, North African, and Middle Eastern origins . The name means "the pure and selected" in Arabic .
Mustafa is currently ranked #821 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Mustafa has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-oost-AHF-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Mustafa include Musta and Tafa. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Mustafa include Mustafo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis