Muhammad
A male given name from the root ḥ-m-d meaning 'the praised one' or 'worthy of praise'. One of the most widely used names in the world.
- Root
- ḥ-m-d (ح-م-د)
- Gender
- Male
- Meaning
- The praised one
- Origin
- Arabic
Meaning and root
Muhammad derives from the triliteral Arabic root ḥ-m-d (ح-م-د), 'to praise'. The form muḥammad is an intensive passive participle: 'the one who is repeatedly praised', hence 'worthy of praise'.
Usage
The name is borne by the Prophet Muhammad, which accounts for its very wide use across the Muslim world. It appears in many compound and related forms and shares its root with the name Ahmad.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Muhammad mean?
It means 'the praised one' or 'worthy of praise', from the root ḥ-m-d ('to praise').
Sources
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: حمد
Last reviewed: 2026-07-09