Mehmet Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MEH-met /ˈmɛh.mɛt/
Origin: Turkish; Arabic
Meaning: Arabic: Praiseworthy; Turkish: Variant of Muhammad
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mehmet is of Turkish origin, derived from the Arabic name Muhammad, which means 'praised' or 'praiseworthy.' The name Muhammad itself comes from the root ḥ-m-d, which conveys the concept of praise in Arabic. The transition from Muhammad to Mehmet occurred as the name was adapted into Turkish, particularly during the Ottoman Empire, where it became a common name among Turkish-speaking populations.
The earliest recorded use of Muhammad dates back to the 6th century CE, with the name gaining prominence due to the Islamic prophet Muhammad, who lived from 570 to 632 CE. As Islam spread, the name became widely adopted across various cultures, leading to numerous variations, including Mehmet in Turkish contexts.
Historically, the name Mehmet is closely associated with several significant figures in the Ottoman Empire, most notably Sultan Mehmet II, also known as Mehmet the Conqueror, who reigned from 1444 to 1446 and again from 1451 to 1481. He is renowned for his conquest of Constantinople in 1453, which marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and the rise of Ottoman dominance in the region.
This event not only solidified the name's importance in Turkish history but also contributed to its enduring legacy as a symbol of strength and leadership. Culturally, the name Mehmet carries connotations of honor and respect, often associated with valor and the virtues of a leader.
It has been a popular name among Turkish families, reflecting a deep-rooted connection to Islamic heritage and the historical significance of the Ottoman Empire. The name has also been used in various forms of literature and art throughout the centuries, further embedding it in the cultural fabric of Turkey and the broader Islamic world.
The diminutive form, Mehmetcik, is often used affectionately to refer to a young boy named Mehmet, emphasizing the name's familial and cultural resonance.
Famous people named Mehmet
In this section, you will find notable people named Mehmet. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mehmet who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mehmet who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Mehmet Oz is a television personality and cardiothoracic surgeon best known for The Dr. Oz Show, You: The Owner's Manual, and his appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Mehmet Ali Ağca is a Turkish assassin best known for attempting to assassinate Pope John Paul II.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mehmet, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mehmet. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mehmet was first seen in the United States in 1960.
Mehmet has ranked as high as #1352 nationally, which occurred in 2015, and has been most popular in New York, California, Florida, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Mehmet has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mehmet is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mehmet was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Mehmet (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 6 | |
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mehmet.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 23 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2019 | 31 |
| 2018 | 32 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2016 | 35 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2013 | 39 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2011 | 30 |
| 2010 | 30 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2007 | 23 |
| 2006 | 23 |
| 2005 | 23 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2002 | 16 |
| 2001 | 24 |
| 2000 | 19 |
| 1999 | 17 |
| 1998 | 12 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1994 | 10 |
| 1993 | 11 |
| 1992 | 9 |
| 1991 | 12 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1987 | 8 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1980 | 6 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1962 | 6 |
| 1960 | 9 |