What Does the Name Mustafa Mean?
Mustafa is a boy's name of Turkish origin meaning “chosen, selected.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Mustafa |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Turkish |
| Meaning | chosen, selected |
| Variants | Mostafa, Moustafa, Mustapha, Mostapha |
| Popularity | A very common name in Turkey and throughout Muslim-majority countries. |
The meaning and origin of Mustafa
The name Mustafa means “chosen, selected” and has Turkish origins. From Arabic Mustafa meaning 'chosen,' a traditional epithet of the Prophet Muhammad, widely used across the Muslim world. A notable bearer is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of modern Turkey.
Variants and related names
Mustafa is related to several other names you may recognize: Mostafa, Moustafa, Mustapha, Mostapha. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Mustafa?
A very common name in Turkey and throughout Muslim-majority countries.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mustafa mean?+
The name Mustafa means “chosen, selected” and is of Turkish origin.
What is the origin of the name Mustafa?+
Mustafa originates from Turkish.
Is Mustafa a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Mustafa has trended in the US over time.
Mustafa by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press