I find myself slightly jealous of a culture that can base their birth naming based on the name of a prophet. It's a lovely notion really isn't it? The thought of using your sons name to remember and honor the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. I wouldn't think to name any of my children Jesus or Buddha.

Muslim parents around the globe like to name their children Muhammad as it provides a link to their religion and heritage.

In Arab countries, a person will be called by the name Muhammad when their real name is unknown. It is a much better alternative than saying Oi you'. It is also used as a prefix to a boys name, so when a boys name is actually Achmail, they will be known as Muhammad Achmail. There are so many rules when it comes to Arabic names, and meaning meanings.

The name Muhammad is the actual English version of the name translated from Arabic, it's meaning is the praised one'.
And the prophet Muhammad certainly was that. Let me tell you a little bit about Muhammad so you can understand why culture places such importance on this name.

Muhammad was born in Arabia in 570 and died at the age of 63. He started preaching this new religion of Islam; he called it the religion of Truth. He is said to have single handedly changed the ways of Arabia, where they previously worshipped different Gods they now believed in the one, from a land of lawlessness to one of discipline and rules. Arabia was a land that was bankrupt and he turned it be one of wealth, a country of wars and tribal fighting to one of national cohesion. He is perceived as a great man, one described by George Bernard Shaw as humanity's savior.'

Wouldn't you want to keep the name Muhammad alive is he was all this and more, by naming your children after a country's savior and hero?

*Different Variations of the Name Muhammad*

There are so many different variations of the name Muhammad, depending on geography and personal application of the name. Here are a few examples.

Mohammed, Muhammad, Mohammad, Muhammad, Mohamed, Mohamad, Mahammed, Mohammod, Mahamed, Mehmet, and Ahmed.

*Popularity of the name Muhammad*

Taking into account the different spelling variations of the name Muhammad, the official register of names in 2007 in Britain has found Muhammad to be the second most popular name.

Ranking in at 4,194 out of 88,799 for people of all ages in the 1990 U.S. Census, the name Muhammad is a popular surname.

In the United States, according to the United States Social Security administration, Muhammad is ranked 693rd in popularity of given names for new babies born.

*Famous Muhammad named people*

Muhammad the Prophet of Islam

Muhammad Ali- a boxer who was born as Cassius Clay changed his name when he converted his religion to Islam.

Mohamed al Fayed- father of Dodi al Fayed, who died along with Princess Diana in a fatal car accident in 1997.

*References Used*

www.wikipedia.com

http://www.bible.ca/islam/isla m-myths-muhammad-sinless-4-wiv es.htm

http://dalulla.blogspot.com/20 06/02/facts-about-prophet-muha mmed-and-islam_28.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/t ol/news/uk/article1890354.ece

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/ news/article-23379024-details/ Mohammed%20leaves%20Michael%20 trailing%20in%20the%20name%20g ame/article.do

Learn more about this author, R.L Hanlon.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

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