Ahmad
Say it: AH-mad/ˈɑː.mæd/
BoyMeans most praiseworthy5 letters2 syllables
#348
in Ireland (2025)
#336 with spellings combined
11
babies in 2025
#280
best rank (2023)
183
babies since 1989
Up 363
10-year rank change
Ahmad through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | #336 |
| 2024 | 11 | #339 |
| 2023 | 15 | #280 |
| 2022 | 6 | #493 |
| 2021 | 7 | #439 |
| 2020 | 10 | #369 |
| 2019 | 13 | #311 |
| 2018 | 8 | #411 |
| 2016 | 8 | #412 |
| 2015 | 3 | #699 |
| 2014 | 4 | #609 |
| 2013 | 8 | #422 |
| 2012 | 8 | #430 |
| 2010 | 6 | #491 |
| 2009 | 13 | #313 |
| 2008 | 13 | #317 |
| 2007 | 6 | #435 |
| 2005 | 7 | #343 |
| 2003 | 7 | #305 |
| 2002 | 4 | #393 |
| 2001 | 3 | #409 |
| 2000 | 3 | #390 |
| 1999 | 3 | #379 |
| 1992 | 3 | #337 |
| 1989 | 3 | #307 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Ahmad mean?
Most praiseworthy
Arabic Aḥmad, from the root ḥ-m-d (praise).
Say it right
AHmad
The story of Ahmad
Ahmad is an Arabic name meaning “most praiseworthy”. It is built on the same root as Muhammad, from a word for praise. It is used across the Muslim world, and in Persian as well as Arabic.
Ahmad is one of the well-known names of the Prophet Muhammad, which is a large part of why it is so widely given. In English it is also spelled Ahmed, Achmed and several other ways.
In Ireland Ahmad reached the list in 1989. It had its best year in 2023, with 15 boys, at number 280. The CSO counts Ahmed as a separate spelling, so the two together are more common than either figure suggests.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Ahmad (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Ahmad
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmad | 11 | 183 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #235 (2004); 11 babies since 2004.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.