Mahdi
Borrowed from Arabic مَهْدِيّ (mahdiyy, “guided one”).
Every Mahdi since 1959 — 2,398 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Mahdi
Mahdi is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #1,629 in 2025 with 104 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1959, 2,398 American babies have been named Mahdi. Its peak came in 2024, when 107 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2020s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Mahdi stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Mahdi year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 104 | #1,629 |
| 2024 | 107 | #1,605 |
| 2023 | 86 | #1,860 |
| 2022 | 79 | #1,960 |
| 2021 | 67 | #2,148 |
| 2020 | 64 | #2,180 |
| 2019 | 82 | #1,845 |
| 2018 | 74 | #1,989 |
| 2017 | 88 | #1,762 |
| 2016 | 70 | #2,035 |
| 2015 | 98 | #1,635 |
| 2014 | 72 | #1,990 |
| 2013 | 93 | #1,640 |
| 2012 | 79 | #1,856 |
| 2011 | 84 | #1,752 |
| 2010 | 84 | #1,774 |
| 2009 | 66 | #2,086 |
| 2008 | 78 | #1,869 |
| 2007 | 81 | #1,807 |
| 2006 | 68 | #1,983 |
| 2005 | 70 | #1,851 |
| 2004 | 70 | #1,798 |
| 2003 | 55 | #2,069 |
| 2002 | 58 | #1,932 |
| 2001 | 46 | #2,233 |
| 2000 | 42 | #2,317 |
| 1995 | 31 | #2,479 |
| 1990 | 10 | #5,241 |
| 1985 | 12 | #3,718 |
| 1980 | 15 | #3,044 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mahdi mean?
Borrowed from Arabic مَهْدِيّ (mahdiyy, “guided one”).
How popular is the name Mahdi in 2025?
Mahdi ranked #1,629 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 104 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Mahdi?
2,398 babies have been named Mahdi in the United States since 1959, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Mahdi most popular?
Mahdi peaked in 2024, when 107 newborns received the name.
Is Mahdi a boy or girl name?
Mahdi is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Mahdi rising or falling?
Mahdi is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.