UK boy's name
Mukhtar
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "chosen" or "elected".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Mukhtar is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Mukhtar popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 10 births.
This profile covers 158 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 157 living people in the UK are called Mukhtar. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Mukhtar ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 10 boys were registered as Mukhtar.
- • About 157 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mukhtar as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3688
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
2002
10 births
Estimated living
157
2026
Meaning
What does Mukhtar mean?
The name Mukhtar has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the word "mukhtār," which means "chosen" or "selected." This name has been in use for centuries and has a rich history and cultural significance in the Islamic world.
The earliest recorded use of the name Mukhtar dates back to the 7th century CE, during the time of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the early years of Islam. One of the most notable historical figures with this name is Mukhtar al-Thaqafi, who lived in the late 7th century CE and played a significant role in the Shi'a Muslim uprising against the Umayyad Caliphate.
In religious texts, the name Mukhtar is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as one of the attributes of God. This association with divinity has contributed to the name's popularity and religious significance among Muslims.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mukhtar. One such person is Mukhtar Mai, a Pakistani woman who was born in 1972 and became an influential human rights activist after surviving a gang rape in 2002. Her courage and determination in seeking justice have inspired many around the world.
Another famous Mukhtar was Mukhtar Auezov, a Kazakh writer, and scholar who lived from 1897 to 1961. He is renowned for his historical novels and plays, which explored the rich cultural heritage of the Kazakh people.
In the realm of politics, Mukhtar al-Nuwayri was an influential Egyptian statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Egypt from 1919 to 1920. He played a crucial role in the Egyptian Revolution of 1919 and the country's struggle for independence from British rule.
Mukhtar Altynbayev, a Soviet and Kazakh military officer who lived from 1940 to 2022, was another notable figure with this name. He achieved the rank of Colonel General and served as the Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan from 1992 to 1995.
The name Mukhtar has maintained its popularity and significance across various cultures and regions, particularly in the Islamic world, where it continues to be bestowed upon children as a symbol of divine selection and admiration.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Mukhtar over time
The chart below shows babies named Mukhtar registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Mukhtar, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mukhtar by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mukhtar was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3575 | 25 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3192 | 42 | 7 |
| 2000s | #2063 | 75 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2013 | 16 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Mukhtar
- Matthew 80,931
- Mohammed 74,321
- Muhammad 72,235
- Max 59,807
- Michael 47,075
- Mason 38,935
- Mohammad 25,910
- Morgan 15,994
- Muhammed 11,527
- Mark 11,336
- Marcus 11,257
- Maxwell 10,006
FAQ
Mukhtar: questions and answers
How popular is the name Mukhtar in the UK right now?
In 2024, Mukhtar was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Mukhtar most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 10 babies registered as Mukhtar in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Mukhtar?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "chosen" or "elected".
How many people are called Mukhtar in the UK?
A total of 158 babies have been registered as Mukhtar across the 25 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.