Last Names

Surnames / M

Mohamed

What is the origin of the last name Mohamed?

Arabic and Persian originRank #1,257 in the US

Meaning and origin

The last name Mohamed, derived from the personal name Muhammad, has its origin in Arabic culture and is closely associated with Islam. Muhammad, meaning "praised" or "praiseworthy," is an Arabic name that holds significant religious and historical significance as it was the name of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam. As Islam spread across various regions, the name Muhammad became highly widespread, leading to the emergence of numerous variations and surname adaptations, including Mohamed, Mohammed, and others. Over time, these variations evolved into distinct last names, including the spelling Mohamed, which is commonly found in countries with a significant Muslim presence or cultural influence.

The longer story

Mohamed is a last name that holds historical significance and is widely encountered across various regions of the world. It is derived from the Arabic given name "Muhammad," which translates to "praised" or "commendable" in English. The name Mohammed, with its different spellings, is linked to the Islamic prophet Muhammad, who is considered the last messenger of God in the Islamic faith.

The popularity of the last name Mohamed is primarily attributed to the spread of Islam and the admiration for Prophet Muhammad. Since the seventh century, Islam has grown to become one of the world's major religions, with followers found in numerous countries. As a result, the name Mohamed, along with its alternate spellings, has become prevalent in both Muslim-majority nations and regions influenced by Islamic culture.

The name Mohamed has varying spellings and pronunciations due to transliteration and cultural differences. Common alternative spellings include Mohammed, Muhammad, Muhammed, and Mahomet. These variations primarily stem from the migration and dispersion of individuals across different regions, leading to different naming customs and transliteration practices.

Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.

Similar spellings

#1,257

Mohamed was the 1,257th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 27,972 people, about 9.1 in every 100,000.

Who carries it

  • White (non-Hispanic)20.1%
  • Hispanic or Latino1.9%
  • Black (non-Hispanic)65.6%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander8.2%
  • Two or more races3.8%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native0.4%

Where it is found

Countries linked to Mohamed.

Surnames like Mohamed

Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.

Check the sources

For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.