Mukhtar
Meaningchosen · Arabic
Mukhtar is an Arabic boy name meaning “chosen”. 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?
- Word funMukhtar doesn't repeat a single letter: 7 letters, all different.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Mukhtar would score 16 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationMukhtar peaked in 1984, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Mukhtar you'd meet today is about 41 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Mukhtars too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Mukhtar would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 169,492 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryMukhtar first shows up in US birth records in 1984, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 41 years since.
US births per million boys, 1984–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Mukhtar
Mukhtar is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “chosen”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 1980s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. 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 Mukhtar
What does the name Mukhtar mean?
Mukhtar means “chosen” and comes from Arabic.
What is the origin of the name Mukhtar?
Mukhtar 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 Mukhtar a boy or girl name?
Mukhtar is a boy name. In 2025, 10 US boys were named Mukhtar.
How popular is the name Mukhtar?
Mukhtar ranked #7,679 for US boys in 2025, given to 10 babies. Its best year was 1984, when it reached #6,315.
What should I know before naming my baby Mukhtar?
Mukhtar is an Arabic boy name meaning “chosen”. 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.