UK boy's name
Mustaf
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "the chosen one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Mustaf is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Mustaf popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3987, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2007, with 7 births.
This profile covers 50 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1996 to 2012. 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 57% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 50 living people in the UK are called Mustaf. 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 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Mustaf ranked #3987 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2007, when 7 boys were registered as Mustaf.
- • About 50 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mustaf as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3987
2012
Births in 2012
4
Latest year
Peak year
2007
7 births
Estimated living
50
2026
Meaning
What does Mustaf mean?
The name Mustaf is of Arabic origin, derived from the root word "mustafa," which means "the chosen one" or "the elect." This name has a rich history dating back to the 7th century CE, when it was borne by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, whose full name was Abu al-Qasim Muhammad ibn Abd Allah al-Mustafa.
In the Islamic tradition, Mustafa is one of the honorific titles bestowed upon Prophet Muhammad, signifying his status as the chosen messenger of God. The name gained widespread popularity among Muslim communities worldwide, as it was considered a great honor to name a child after the revered prophet.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Mustafa can be found in the Qur'an, the central religious text of Islam. The name is mentioned in several verses, including Surah Al-Ahzab (33:40), which states: "Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the Prophets. And Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything."
Throughout history, numerous notable figures have borne the name Mustafa. One of the most prominent is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938), the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, who played a crucial role in the country's westernization and modernization efforts.
Another influential figure is Mustafa al-Kadhimi (born 1967), the current Prime Minister of Iraq since 2020. He has been instrumental in promoting stability and security in the country, as well as implementing economic reforms.
In the realm of literature, Mustafa Lutfi al-Manfaluti (1876-1924) was an Egyptian writer, scholar, and pioneer of the Arabic literary renaissance known as the Nahda. His works, including novels and essays, addressed social and political issues and advocated for modernity and progress.
Mustafa Zayd al-Mustawfi (1176-1242), an Iranian geographer and historian, is renowned for his comprehensive work "Nuzhat al-Qulub" (Heart's Delight), which provides valuable insights into the geography, history, and culture of the Islamic world during the 13th century.
Mustafa Zamani (1542-1625), also known as Mustafa Çelebi, was an Ottoman historian and geographer who authored the influential work "Cihannüma" (Mirror of the World), which detailed the geography, history, and cultures of various regions around the world.
These are just a few examples of the many notable figures throughout history who have borne the name Mustafa, showcasing its enduring significance and cultural resonance across different regions and eras.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Mustaf over time
The chart below shows babies named Mustaf registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Mustaf, the clearest high point is 2007. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2012, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mustaf by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mustaf 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3660 | 9 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3273 | 25 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2431 | 16 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Mustaf
- 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
Mustaf: questions and answers
How popular is the name Mustaf in the UK right now?
In 2012, Mustaf was ranked #3987 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Mustaf most popular?
The peak year on record was 2007, with 7 babies registered as Mustaf in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Mustaf?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "the chosen one".
How many people are called Mustaf in the UK?
A total of 50 babies have been registered as Mustaf across the 12 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.