So many people wonder what the name Mustafa means. This is not surprising, because the number of Muslims in the world is growing, and the Arab-Muslim culture (and with it the names) is becoming more numerous, discussed and popular.
Meaning of the name
Mustafa is a name that is important for both Arab culture and Turkish. For Muslims, Al Muhaf is one of many epithets given to the Prophet Muhammad. It means โthe Chosen Oneโ, from the Arabic word Muhaf (ู
ุตุทูู), which translates as โpure, the chosen oneโ. It is from this epithet that the name Mustafa came from. It is usually translated as "the chosen one." Such an exalted value is usually the main reason for parents to name their child by this name.
The Arabs
The name Mustafa in Islam plays as much a role as the name Muhammad. For it is directly connected with the prophet of the Mohammedan faith. It is of Arab origin, and therefore is one of the most popular names among this large nation.
Arab Christians
Representatives of this people use the title "Muhafa" or "Mustafa" in relation to St. Paul - the Apostle of Christ. He went to Arabia immediately after his conversion to the famous road to Damascus.
Of course, among the Christians of the Middle East, the name Mustafa is not as popular as among Muslims. But sometimes it occurs.
The Turks
In Turkish culture, this name plays a huge role thanks to Mustafa Kemal (1881-1938), nicknamed Atatรผrk ("father of all Turks"). He founded modern Turkey after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following the First World War.
In addition, the name of Mustafa was in the four sultans of the Ottoman Empire. And this is between the 17th and 19th centuries! It is not surprising that Mustafa is one of the 3 most beloved boy names in Turkey, and is also very highly regarded in Egypt (the former Ottoman colony).
Through the Ottoman Turks, it came to Bosnia and Herzegovina, becoming extremely popular there. However, outside the Middle East and Africa, the name Mustafa is commonly found among people of Arab or Turkish ethnic origin living in Western countries. Therefore, it is not too common in English-speaking countries.
The Americans
Mustafa's name took a position in the TOP-1000 only three times: in 2001, 2002 and 2011. His highest position on this list was No. 927 (in 2011).
In other words, the name Mustafa is very unusual and not very common for the United States. It sounds too exotic for the average American of European or Hispanic descent.
The population of Turkish-Americans is so small (less than 0.1%) that they are unlikely to increase the popularity of any name in the country associated with their ethnic history. Similarly, Arab-Americans make up just over 1% of the US population. That is why you should not expect that the name Mustafa will rise from the lowest level of American popularity graphs.
The Slavs
It is generally believed that if a person bears the name Mustafa - his nationality can already be considered certain. This is either a Turk, or an Arab, or a representative of another eastern people.
But in fact, for those who know the meaning of the name Mustaf, and also more or less versed in the history of Europe, it will not be a surprise that it is often found among the Slavs in the Balkans.
Basically, its carriers are Bosniaks - the descendants of the Serbs and Croats who converted to Islam, which make up 40% of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Oddly enough, the Croats follow them.
The name Mustafa used to be common in the northwestern part of Croatia, where it could be found less often in the central regions of the country.
Now it, however, is not very popular. Perhaps this is due to the difficult legacy of the Yugoslav war, which pretty much quarreled the Croats with the Bosniaks.
Most people named Mustafa live in the following cities and municipalities: Zagreb (over a hundred), Rijeka (about sixty), Pula (about twenty).
The city with the highest percentage of people with this name is called Lastovo (0.19% of the total population). Of course, we are talking only about dozens of carriers of this name. But they are all pure Slavs.
The name Mustafa was extremely popular in Croatia from 1928 to 1938. The peak year was 1938, when the idea that Bosniaks were only an integral part of the Croatian ethnic group was promoted in the country. Its popularity was the lowest from 1981 to 1991.
In Russia
In Russia, this name is relatively popular in the North Caucasus, in Tatarstan and in Moscow.
It is common among Muslims, and therefore, where there are representatives of the Islamic faith, there will also be carriers of the name Mustafa.
Numerological Importance
This topic should also be given a little attention. In numerology, this name corresponds to the number 9, often associated with completeness, perfection.
It is also appropriate to recall the nickname given by the Turks to the most famous Mustafa carrier - Kemal. It translates from Turkish as "perfect." This is a person who moves from his "I" (ego) to a deeper understanding and compassion for humanity, as well as for the world order.
Numbers 9 want to make the world a better place. Nines are capable of great spiritual and humanitarian achievements. They are courageous and fearless. These men can fight in great battles with good and solid reasons. Such individuals will not tolerate injustice.
They are compassionate people, with an extremely strong sensitivity to others. "Nines" are able to educate and inspire. Friendship and relationships are their life force, they attach great importance to love and affection. Such men are often unusually gifted from an artistic point of view. They have a keen imagination, as well as a very enterprising mind.