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 name
Mustafa is a name important for both Arabic and Turkish culture. For Muslims, Al-Muhafa is one of the many epithets given to the Prophet Muhammad. It means "Chosen One", from the Arabic word Muhafa (مصطفى), which translates as "pure, chosen." It is from this epithet that the name Mustafa originated. It is usually translated as "the chosen one". Such an elevated meaning is usually the main reason for parents to name their child by this name.
Arabs
The name Mustafa in Islam plays the same big role as the name Muhammad. For it is directly connected with the prophet of the Mohammedan faith. It is of Arabic origin, and therefore is one of the most popular names among this numerous people.
Arab Christians
Representatives of this nation 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 Christians in the Middle East, the name Mustafa is not as popular as among Muslims. But sometimes it happens.
Turks
In Turkish culture, this name plays a huge role thanks to Mustafa Kemal (1881-1938), nicknamed Atatürk ("father of all Turks"). He founded modern Turkey after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following World War I.
Besides, four sultans of the Ottoman Empire had the name Mustafa. And this is between the 17th and 19th centuries! No wonder Mustafa is one of the top 3 favorite boy names in Turkey and is also highly regarded in Egypt (a former Ottoman colony).
Through the Ottoman Turks, it came to Bosnia and Herzegovina, becoming extremely popular there. However, outside of 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 very common in English-speaking countries.
Americans
Mustafa's name has taken a position in the TOP-1000 only three times: in 2001, 2002 and 2011. His highest position on this list was 927 (in 2011).
In other words, the name Mustafa is very unusual and not very common in the United States. It sounds too exotic for the average American European orHispanic.
The population of Turkish Americans is so small (less than 0.1%) that they can hardly increase the popularity of any name associated with their ethnic history in the country. Likewise, Arab Americans make up just over 1% of the US population. Here's why you shouldn't expect Mustafa's name to rise from the bottom of the US popularity charts.
At 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 Mustafa, and also more or less understand the history of Europe, it will not be a surprise that it is often found among the Slavs in the Balkans.
It is mainly spoken by the Bosnians - the descendants of Serbs and Croats who converted to Islam, making up 40% of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are followed, oddly enough, by the Croats.
The name Mustafa used to be common in the northwestern part of Croatia, much less common in the central regions of the country.
Now, however, it is not very popular. Perhaps this is due to the heavy legacy of the Yugoslav war, which pretty much quarreled between the Croats and 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 bearers of this name is called Lastovo (0.19% of the total population). Of course, we are talking about only dozens of bearers of this name. But they are all pure Slavs.
The name Mustafa was extremely popular in Croatia from 1928 to 1938. The peak was 1938, when the idea was propagated in the country that the Bosniaks were only an integral part of the Croatian ethnos. His popularity was at its lowest between 1981 and 1991.
In Russia
In Russia, this name is relatively popular in the North Caucasus, Tatarstan and Moscow.
It is common among Muslims, and therefore, where there are representatives of the Islamic faith, bearers of the name Mustafa will also be found.
Meaning in terms of numerology
This topic is also worth paying a little attention to. In numerology, this name corresponds to the number 9, often associated with completeness, perfection.
It is appropriate to recall the nickname given by the Turks to the most famous bearer of the name Mustafa - "Kemal". It is translated 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.
Number 9 people 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 great battles for good and worthy reasons. Such individuals will not tolerate injustice.
They are compassionate people, withextremely strong sensitivity to others. "Nines" are able to educate and inspire. Friendship and relationships are their lifeblood, they place a high value on love and affection. Such men are often unusually gifted from an artistic point of view. They have a sharp imagination, as well as a very enterprising mind.
