Mustapha
Meaningchosen · Arabic
Mustapha 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 flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Mustapha would score 15 points, thanks largely to the H (worth 4).
- GenerationMustapha peaked in 1993, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Mustapha you'd meet today is about 32 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Mustaphas too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Mustapha would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 106,383 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryMustapha first shows up in US birth records in 1981, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 44 years since.
US births per million boys, 1981–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Mustapha
Mustapha is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “chosen”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, and plenty of room for a nickname, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 1990s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Arabic names
Other spellings of Mustapha
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 Mustapha
What does the name Mustapha mean?
Mustapha means “chosen” and comes from Arabic.
What is the origin of the name Mustapha?
Mustapha 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 Mustapha a boy or girl name?
Mustapha is a boy name. In 2025, 16 US boys were named Mustapha.
How popular is the name Mustapha?
Mustapha ranked #5,608 for US boys in 2025, given to 16 babies. Its best year was 1993, when it reached #2,865. Over the last five years it has climbed 91 places.
What names are similar to Mustapha?
If you like Mustapha, you might also like Mustafa. Mustafa is another spelling of the same name.
What should I know before naming my baby Mustapha?
Mustapha 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 flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.