Ahmed
Say it: AH-med/ˈɑːmɛd/
BoyMeans usually explained as "highly praised"5 letters2 syllables
#272
in Ireland (2025)
#264 with spellings combined
16
babies in 2025
#201
best rank (2001)
401
babies since 1984
Up 16
10-year rank change
Ahmed through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 16 | #264 |
| 2024 | 7 | #454 |
| 2023 | 14 | #294 |
| 2022 | 16 | #277 |
| 2021 | 16 | #270 |
| 2020 | 11 | #350 |
| 2019 | 7 | #446 |
| 2018 | 8 | #411 |
| 2017 | 13 | #317 |
| 2016 | 14 | #313 |
| 2015 | 16 | #280 |
| 2014 | 13 | #325 |
| 2013 | 13 | #317 |
| 2012 | 18 | #267 |
| 2011 | 22 | #238 |
| 2010 | 22 | #241 |
| 2009 | 18 | #261 |
| 2008 | 12 | #328 |
| 2007 | 13 | #282 |
| 2006 | 15 | #239 |
| 2005 | 9 | #283 |
| 2004 | 14 | #214 |
| 2003 | 11 | #245 |
| 2002 | 13 | #212 |
| 2001 | 13 | #201 |
| 2000 | 6 | #274 |
| 1999 | 6 | #266 |
| 1998 | 6 | #242 |
| 1997 | 3 | #382 |
| 1995 | 3 | #334 |
| 1994 | 3 | #342 |
| 1993 | 7 | #235 |
| 1992 | 3 | #337 |
| 1991 | 7 | #230 |
| 1989 | 3 | #307 |
| 1987 | 3 | #303 |
| 1985 | 3 | #304 |
| 1984 | 4 | #274 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Ahmed mean?
Usually explained as "highly praised"
Arabic Ahmad, from the root h-m-d (to praise).
Say it right
AHmed
Some families put the stress on the second syllable, ah-MED, and many say the "h" as a soft breath.
The story of Ahmed
Ahmed is a spelling of the Arabic name Ahmad. It comes from the root h-m-d, which is about praise and thanks, and it is usually explained as “highly praised”. It is also one of the names of the Prophet Muhammad, which is why it is so widely used across the Muslim world.
Ahmed first appears in the CSO records in 1984. It has grown slowly since, and its best year for rank was 2001, when it reached number 201. The most babies it has had in a year was 22 in 2010, and 16 boys were named Ahmed in 2025.
The CSO counts Ahmed and Ahmad as separate names, and Mohammed and its spellings are more common again. In Northern Ireland six boys were given the name in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Ahmed (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Ahmad
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmed | 16 | 401 |
In Northern Ireland
#270 in 2025 with 6 babies. Best rank #220 (2002); 47 babies since 2000.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.