Mahad
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 776 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Mahad has 776 recorded U.S. births across 34+ years, peaking at 42 in 2017. It occupies the space between “never heard of it” and “everyone has one in their class” — a name that feels personal without being obscure.
In the most recent SSA release, Mahad ranks #6329 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Mahad is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, from the Arabic mahad, possibly connected to mahdi (guided one) or a Somali and East African name meaning 'great' or 'noble, exalted' — used primarily in Somali and East African Muslim communities.
Mahad is found particularly in Somalia and among Somali diaspora communities, where it carries the warmth of a traditional name that honors nobility and greatness. The Somali naming tradition draws from both Arabic Islamic heritage and indigenous East African naming practices, and Mahad bridges both worlds — recognizable as Arabic-influenced while being distinctly East African in its cultural usage and identity.
EtymologyShow more
Mahad first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1990. First appearing in the 1990s, Mahad emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Arabic classification suggests a path from arabic linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mahad was #2930 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #6329, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 122 | #4559 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 293 | #3774 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 282 | #3493 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 79 | #6674 | — |
The Story of Mahad
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2017, Mahad is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Mahad are most likely born between 2007 and 2024.
How rare is Mahad?
Only about 1 in every 257,143 babies born in 2024 was named Mahad — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1990, peaked in the 2010s with 293 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Mahad by the numbers
- Would fill 16 school buses
- Meeting one Mahad per day would take 2.1 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(33 years, 1990–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 | #6329 |
| 2023 | 24 | #4415 |
| 2022 | 20 | #4957 |
| 2021 | 37 | #3217 |
| 2020 | 27 | #3879 |
| 2019 | 35 | #3313 |
| 2018 | 34 | #3345 |
| 2017 | 42 | #2871 |
| 2016 | 28 | #3852 |
| 2015 | 23 | #4364 |
| 2014 | 31 | #3510 |
| 2013 | 27 | #3820 |
| 2012 | 30 | #3595 |
| 2011 | 21 | #4601 |
| 2010 | 22 | #4464 |
| 2009 | 26 | #3989 |
| 2008 | 24 | #4216 |
| 2007 | 32 | #3415 |
| 2006 | 30 | #3492 |
| 2005 | 30 | #3358 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mahad a boy's or girl's name?
When was Mahad most popular?
How popular is the name Mahad?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1990–2024