In recent years, a tendency has been observed in Azerbaijan to give newborns names derived from religious and spiritual values: Huseyn, Ali, Yusif, Omar, Mahammad, etc.
If we look at the statistics, we will see that the name Mahammad is among the top “10” names for newborn boys.
Mahammad is the name of the Islamic prophet and holds special reverence in Muslim societies. Experts say that one of the main motivations for parents in Azerbaijan to choose this name is love and respect for the prophet. Many families believe that giving a child this name will bring blessings, a righteous path, and spiritual protection to their life. Especially in the current period of difficult wars and socio-economic challenges, such names become a symbol of hope and support.
For some parents, this name is a kind of prayer: “May my son be close to the prophet's morals,” they say.
If we look at official statistics, we will see that a new trend has also been observed in recent years: parents not only name newborn boys Mahammad but also prefer names like Muhammed and Muhammad.
Experts say that this can be evaluated as a result of both globalization and a more open emphasis on religious identity.
The widespread prevalence of the same names creates an interesting social landscape. In schools, there might be several Mahammads in one class, several Muhammads in university auditoriums, and several Muhammeds in workplaces. This sometimes leads to consequences such as the loss of individuality, where a person is identified not by their given name but by their patronymic, nickname, or surname.
Nevertheless, for many families, the uniqueness of the name is not the main factor, but rather the profoundness of its meaning. In their view, bearing a sacred and revered name is a distinction in itself.
The Modern.az website has obtained interesting information from the Ministry of Justice's statistics on names.
It has been revealed that in the year 2025, which we are leaving behind, 527 children born in Azerbaijan were named Mahammad.
In addition, 199 children were named Muhammed, 73 children Muhəmməd, 29 children Muhammed, and 19 children Muhammad.
We are not even mentioning religious names like Məhəmmədəli, Muhammadali, Muhammedəli. A significant portion of newborns has also been given such compound names.
The widespread prevalence of the name Mahammad and its similar forms in Azerbaijan is not merely name statistics. It appears that this stems from faith and the search for spiritual support. Thousands of Azerbaijani children bearing these names, inevitably, grow up with the weighty legacy of being the prophet's namesake.
A.Gorkhmaz
