Muhammad is an Arabic name meaning “praised”, “praiseworthy” or “much praised”, from the root ḥ-m-d, “to praise”. It is the name of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the final Messenger of Islam, and appears four times in the Qur’an. In 2025 it was the most popular boys’ name in England and Wales for the third year running.
What does Muhammad mean?
The name comes from the Arabic root ḥ-m-d, which carries the idea of praise and thanks. The same root gives al-ḥamd in “Alhamdulillah” (all praise is for Allah), and the names Ahmad, Mahmud and Hamid. The form “Muhammad” is intensive: not just praised once, but praised again and again.
The Qur’an uses the name Muhammad four times (3:144, 33:40, 47:2 and 48:29), and the related name Ahmad once (61:6).
How do you pronounce Muhammad?
Say moo-HAM-mad. The “h” is a breathy Arabic ḥ, said from the back of the throat, and the “m” in the middle is doubled, so you linger on it slightly. Many British families say “mo-HAM-med”, which matches the spelling Mohammed.
How do you spell Muhammad? Spellings and variants
- Mohammed and Mohammad: very common in the UK, especially in families with roots in Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Arab world.
- Muhammed, Mohamed and Mohamad: common in Turkish, North African and Somali families.
- Mehmet (Turkish), Mamadou (West African), and the short form Md used in written Bangla names.
How popular is Muhammad in the UK?
Muhammad was the top boys’ name in England and Wales in 2023, 2024 and 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In 2025, 5,957 baby boys were registered as Muhammad (up from 5,721), and it was the most popular name in every month of the year. Because the ONS counts every spelling separately, the three most common spellings together were given to more than 8,500 boys.
| Spelling | Rank in 2025 | Babies in 2025 | Change since 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muhammad | 1 | 5,957 | no change |
| Mohammed | 20 | 1,712 | up 1 place |
| Mohammad | 55 | 895 | down 2 places |
| Muhammed | 129 | – | up 1 place |
| Mohamed | 209 | – | down 2 places |
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
The Prophet Muhammad was born in Makkah around the year 570. Known even before prophethood as al-Amin, “the trustworthy”, he received the first revelation at about the age of forty in the cave of Hira, beginning with the word “Read!” (96:1–5). He called people to worship Allah alone, migrated to Madinah in 622 (the Hijrah, which begins the Islamic calendar) and died there in 632.
The Qur’an describes him as “a mercy to the worlds” (21:107) and says, “You are truly of a great moral character” (68:4). He also gave permission to use his name: “Name yourselves with my name” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3539).
His story is one of the five in the Hudhud book, alongside Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa and Isa. For a child-friendly retelling, see the Prophet Muhammad for kids.
What middle names go with Muhammad?
In many British Muslim families, especially those with South Asian roots, Muhammad is given as a first name and a second name is used day to day: Muhammad Yusuf is called Yusuf at home. Popular pairings include:
What are nicknames for Muhammad?
Common nicknames are Mo, Hamoudi (an Arabic term of affection) and Hamada (popular in Egypt). Some families prefer not to shorten the name at all, out of respect for the Prophet; others use the middle name instead.
What are good sibling names for Muhammad?
Names of the Prophet’s family and Companions sit naturally beside Muhammad:
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Muhammad mean?
Muhammad means “praised”, “praiseworthy” or “much praised” in Arabic. It comes from the root ḥ-m-d, “to praise”, the same root as Ahmad, Mahmud and Alhamdulillah. The doubled middle letter makes it intensive: one who is praised again and again.
Is the name Muhammad in the Qur’an?
Yes. The name Muhammad appears four times in the Qur’an (3:144, 33:40, 47:2 and 48:29), and the related name Ahmad once (61:6). Surah 47 is also known as Surah Muhammad.
Is Muhammad the most popular boys’ name in the UK?
Yes, in England and Wales. Muhammad was the No. 1 boys’ name in 2023, 2024 and 2025, with 5,957 boys in 2025, about 1 in 50 of all boys born (ONS). Mohammed (20th) and Mohammad (55th) are counted separately.
Is Muhammad a lucky name?
Islam does not treat any name as lucky or unlucky: the Prophet rejected bad omens and said he liked a good word instead (Sahih al-Bukhari 5776). Families choose Muhammad out of love for the Prophet, who said, “Name yourselves with my name” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3539).
Which spelling is correct: Muhammad, Mohammed or Mohammad?
All are transliterations of the same Arabic name, محمد. Muhammad is closest to the Arabic, while Mohammed and Mohammad reflect how the name is said in different countries.
What are common nicknames for Muhammad?
Mo, Hamoudi and Hamada are common nicknames. Many families prefer not to shorten the name out of respect for the Prophet, and instead give Muhammad as a first name and use a second name day to day, such as Muhammad Yusuf.
What are good middle names for Muhammad?
Yusuf, Ibrahim, Ali, Zayn, Musa and Adam are popular pairings. In many South Asian families the middle name becomes the everyday name, so choose one you love saying.
Is the Prophet Muhammad in the Hudhud book?
Yes. His story is one of the five in Hudhud, with those of Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa and Isa (peace be upon them). The child’s name replaces the sample hero’s name throughout the book.