NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Mushtaq

A masculine Arabic name meaning "one who longs for something" or "desirous".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Mushtaq is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Mushtaq popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5687, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 4 births.

This profile covers 25 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 2003 to 2023. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 25 living people in the UK are called Mushtaq. 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 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Mushtaq ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2003, when 4 girls were registered as Mushtaq.
  • About 25 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mushtaq as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 89.3% of Mushtaq registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5687

2023

Births in 2023

3

Latest year

Peak year

2003

4 births

Estimated living

25

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Mushtaq

In England and Wales birth records, Mushtaq has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 10.7% of registrations are for boys and 89.3% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

89% girls
Boys3 (10.7%)Girls25 (89.3%)

Mushtaq registered for boys

  • Ranked #4,805 in 2012
  • 3 boys registered in 2012
  • Peak: 2012 (3 births)

Mushtaq registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,687 in 2023
  • 3 girls registered in 2023
  • Peak: 2003 (4 births)

Meaning

What does Mushtaq mean?

The name Mushtaq is derived from the Arabic word "ishtiyaaq," which means "longing" or "desire." Its origins can be traced back to the 7th century during the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. The name gained popularity among Muslims as it carried a spiritual connotation, reflecting the human longing for divine connection and guidance.

In the early Islamic era, the name Mushtaq was often associated with poets and scholars who expressed their yearning for knowledge and spiritual enlightenment through their works. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the writings of the renowned 9th-century poet and philosopher, Abu Tammam Habib ibn Aws al-Tai, who was known as Mushtaq al-Andalusi.

Over the centuries, the name Mushtaq has been carried by several notable figures in various fields. One of the most famous individuals with this name was Mushtaq Ali Khan, an Indian Muslim scholar and linguist who lived from 1563 to 1635. He was renowned for his contributions to the study of Arabic grammar and his literary works, including a commentary on the Qur'an.

Another prominent figure was Mushtaq Hussain Khan, a celebrated Indian classical vocalist and musician who lived from 1919 to 1992. He was a master of the Patiala gharana and is widely recognized for his virtuosity in the khyal and thumri styles of Hindustani classical music.

In the realm of literature, Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi, a Pakistani poet and writer born in 1923, gained significant recognition for his works in Urdu poetry and prose. His collection of poems, "Shaam-e-Awadgi," is considered a masterpiece and a significant contribution to modern Urdu literature.

The name Mushtaq also has a place in religious and spiritual circles. One notable figure was Mushtaq Ahmed Nizami, an Indian Islamic scholar and Sufi mystic who lived from 1833 to 1906. He was the founder of the Nizamia Sufi order and played a crucial role in spreading Islamic teachings and promoting spiritual practices in South Asia.

Another individual worth mentioning is Mushtaq Ali Khan Bahadur, an Indian politician and diplomat who lived from 1921 to 2005. He served as the Ambassador of India to several countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and played a significant role in fostering diplomatic relations between India and the Middle Eastern nations.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Mushtaq over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Mushtaq in England and Wales, from 2003 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Mushtaq, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
01234200320132023

Decades

Mushtaq by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mushtaq 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 #5634 6 2
2010s #5742 3 1
2000s #4747 16 5

Related

Names similar to Mushtaq

FAQ

Mushtaq: questions and answers

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

In 2023, Mushtaq was ranked #5687 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Mushtaq most popular?

The peak year on record was 2003, with 4 babies registered as Mushtaq in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Mushtaq?

A masculine Arabic name meaning "one who longs for something" or "desirous".

How many people are called Mushtaq in the UK?

A total of 25 babies have been registered as Mushtaq across the 8 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.