Mahmud
Meaningpraised · Arabic
Mahmud is an Arabic boy name meaning “praised”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Mahmud would score 14 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationMahmud is having its moment right now. Most Mahmuds are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Mahmud would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 344,828 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryMahmud first shows up in US birth records in 1980, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 45 years since.
US births per million boys, 1980–2025
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Mahmud
Mahmud is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “praised”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It has been around for generations, yet it's never been more loved than it is today. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
More Arabic boy names
- Boy name: Caleb · dog, faithful
- Boy name: Silas · of the forest
- Boy name: Aaron · possibly exalted
- Boy name: Amir · prince, commander
- Boy name: Xavier · new house
- Boy name: Jasper · treasurer
- Boy name: Muhammad · praised
- Boy name: Omar · flourishing, long-lived
Questions about the name Mahmud
What does the name Mahmud mean?
Mahmud means “praised” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Jude (“praised”), Judah (“praised”), Muhammad (“praised”) and Mohamed (“praised”).
What is the origin of the name Mahmud?
Mahmud is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).
Is Mahmud a boy or girl name?
Mahmud is a boy name. In 2025, 5 US boys were named Mahmud.
How popular is the name Mahmud?
Mahmud ranked #12,008 for US boys in 2025, given to 5 babies. Its best year was 2022, when it reached #5,019. Over the last five years it has slipped 3,269 places.
What names are similar to Mahmud?
If you like Mahmud, you might also like Jude, Judah, Muhammad and Mohamed.
What should I know before naming my baby Mahmud?
Mahmud is an Arabic boy name meaning “praised”. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.