Meaning of Mohammed, the ubiquitous Arabic name with powerful cultural and religious ties

This week’s Arabic word of the week is one of the most famous names in the world.

Mohammed is a name that is not only widely used by Arab speakers but due to its significance in Islam, has become popular among Muslims from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

The name Mohammed is traditionally given to boys, usually in Muslim families to honour the Prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam. It is derived from the word hamad whose root letters are Hah, Meem and Dal. Hamad is a verb which means to praise, be thankful for or be grateful to someone. Hammadaa is another variant of the verb which means to give praise to and laud someone because of their good nature and honourable character.

Many other variants or words are also derived from hamad whose meanings are closely associated with praise, gratefulness and thanks.

One of these is the name Mohammed, which means someone whose character traits are praiseworthy. It also means someone whose intentions and actions are kind and lean towards pleasing others, making him worthy of constant thanks.

The name can also refer to the idea of someone being the best or most favourable from a group or being a chosen one. Overall, as a name, Mohammed signifies the traits of someone who is commendable or laudable, two qualities that are valued in both cultural and religious contexts in the region.

The name Mohammed has important significance in Islam. The Prophet Mohammed is revered as the messenger of God, who delivered the Quran and whose life and teachings form the foundation of Islamic belief. His name is mentioned four times in the Quran in four different chapters where he is referred to as the Prophet, the Messenger, and the Seal of the Prophets. Compared to other prophets such as Moses and Abraham, Mohammed is mentioned fewer times by far, but this has been seen as a reflection of his role as the messenger of Islam.

Given the reverence of his character and role in the history and spread of Islam, it should come as no surprise that his name has been wildly used in the region and beyond. There are an estimated 150 million boys and men worldwide named Mohammed. There are also variations of the name Mohammed, which include Mahmood, Ahmed, Hamid, Hamaad, Hameed and Houmaid. There are also female versions, including Hamedia and Hamda. Often for Arabs or Muslims living in the West, the name Mohammed is shortened to Mo.

As both a name and a word, Mohammed not only has religious reverence in the region but connects people to the history of Islam and has become a marker of a whole culture's identity.