NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Murtaza

One who sacrifices or gives his life for a righteous cause.

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.

Murtaza is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Murtaza popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2088, with 11 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 33 births.

This profile covers 427 England and Wales registrations across 29 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 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 424 living people in the UK are called Murtaza. 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

  • Murtaza ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 11 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2008, when 33 boys were registered as Murtaza.
  • About 424 living people in the UK are estimated to have Murtaza as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2088

2024

Births in 2024

11

Latest year

Peak year

2008

33 births

Estimated living

424

2026

Meaning

What does Murtaza mean?

The name Murtaza has its origins in the Arabic language and is derived from the root word "rida," which means "satisfaction" or "contentment." The name is closely associated with the Islamic faith and culture.

In Arabic, the name Murtaza is composed of two parts: "Mur" and "taza." The prefix "Mur" can be translated as "the chosen one" or "the selected one," while "taza" means "pure" or "virtuous." Thus, the name Murtaza can be interpreted as "the chosen pure one" or "the virtuous chosen one."

The name Murtaza holds significant historical and religious importance in Islamic tradition. It is one of the honorific titles bestowed upon Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. Ali was given the title "Murtaza" by the Prophet himself, signifying his exalted status and his selection as the chosen spiritual successor.

The earliest recorded use of the name Murtaza dates back to the 7th century CE, during the time of the Rashidun Caliphate. Throughout Islamic history, several notable figures have borne the name Murtaza, including:

1. Murtaza Husain (1612-1691), a renowned Indian scholar and poet who was a prominent figure in the Naqshbandi Sufi order. 2. Murtaza Quli Khan (1528-1595), a distinguished military commander and statesman during the Mughal Empire in India. 3. Murtaza al-Zabidi (1732-1791), an influential Arabic lexicographer and author of the encyclopedic dictionary "Taj al-Arus." 4. Murtaza Mutahhari (1919-1979), an Iranian philosopher, theologian, and prominent figure in the Iranian Revolution. 5. Murtaza Bhutto (1954-1996), a Pakistani politician and the eldest son of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

The name Murtaza has also been featured in various literary works and Islamic texts, further solidifying its significance within the Islamic tradition. It is often associated with virtues such as purity, righteousness, and spiritual excellence.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Murtaza over time

The chart below shows babies named Murtaza 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 Murtaza, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 11 births in 2024, compared with 33 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Murtaza
08172533199620102024

Decades

Murtaza by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Murtaza 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 #2174 52 5
2010s #1359 188 10
2000s #1332 149 10
1990s #1358 38 4

Related

Names similar to Murtaza

FAQ

Murtaza: questions and answers

How popular is the name Murtaza in the UK right now?

In 2024, Murtaza was ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales, with 11 births registered.

When was Murtaza most popular?

The peak year on record was 2008, with 33 babies registered as Murtaza in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Murtaza?

One who sacrifices or gives his life for a righteous cause.

How many people are called Murtaza in the UK?

A total of 427 babies have been registered as Murtaza across the 29 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.