UK boy's name
Muktar
An Arabic masculine name meaning "great" or "favored one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2006. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Muktar is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Muktar popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2006 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4052, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 5 births.
This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1997 to 2006. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Muktar. 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 2007 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Muktar ranked #4052 for boys in England and Wales in 2006, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 5 boys were registered as Muktar.
- • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Muktar as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4052
2006
Births in 2006
3
Latest year
Peak year
1997
5 births
Estimated living
13
2026
Meaning
What does Muktar mean?
The name Muktar has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is a masculine name derived from the Arabic word "mukhtar," which means "chosen" or "elected." The earliest recorded instances of this name can be traced back to the 7th century AD, during the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula.
In Islamic tradition, the name Muktar holds significant historical and religious importance. It is believed that one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, named Mukhtar ibn Abi Ubaid ath-Thaqafi, played a crucial role in avenging the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. This event is deeply revered in Shia Islam, and Mukhtar's name has become associated with the concept of seeking justice and retribution.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Muktar was Mukhtar al-Thaqafi (622-687 AD), a prominent military commander and governor during the early days of the Umayyad Caliphate. He is known for leading a revolt against the Umayyad ruler Yazid I and establishing a short-lived government in Kufa, modern-day Iraq.
Another notable figure bearing the name Muktar was Abu al-Mukhtar al-Nasir (1262-1347), a ruler of the Nasrid dynasty in Granada, the last remaining Muslim territory in the Iberian Peninsula during the Reconquista period. He is renowned for his architectural contributions, including the construction of the Alhambra palace complex.
In more recent history, Muktar Eddine El Ouafi (1940-2022) was a Moroccan writer and journalist who played a significant role in promoting Amazigh (Berber) literature and culture. He was awarded the Prince Claus Award in 2010 for his contributions to preserving and promoting indigenous languages and cultures.
Another notable individual with the name Muktar was Muktar Mai (born 1972), a Pakistani woman who became a prominent advocate for women's rights and education after surviving a brutal gang rape in 2002. Her resilience and determination to seek justice and empower women in Pakistan have earned her international recognition and numerous awards.
While the name Muktar has its roots in Arabic and Islamic culture, it has also been adopted and used across various regions and communities, particularly in areas with significant Muslim populations. The name's meaning of being "chosen" or "elected" has resonated with many, contributing to its enduring popularity throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Muktar over time
The chart below shows babies named Muktar registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2006. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Muktar, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2006, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Muktar by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Muktar 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #3403 | 8 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2022 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Muktar
- 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
Muktar: questions and answers
How popular is the name Muktar in the UK right now?
In 2006, Muktar was ranked #4052 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Muktar most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 5 babies registered as Muktar in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Muktar?
An Arabic masculine name meaning "great" or "favored one".
How many people are called Muktar in the UK?
A total of 13 babies have been registered as Muktar across the 3 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.