Maomé

This name derives from the Arabic “Muḥammad.” The name comes from the Arabic passive participle and the triconsonantal root of Ḥ-M-D (praise), hence “praised, or praiseworthy.” However, its actual pronunciation differs colloquially, for example, in Egyptian Arabic. Muḥammad was a man from Mecca who unified Arabia into a single religious polity under Islam. Believed by Muslims and Bahá’ís to be a messenger and prophet of God, Muhammad is almost universally considered by Muslims as the last prophet sent by God to humankind. While non-Muslims regard Muhammad as the founder of Islam, Muslims believe him to have restored the unaltered original monotheistic faith of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets. According to the sixth edition of The Columbia Encyclopedia, Muhammad is the most common given name in the world, including variations. It is estimated that more than 150 million men and boys in the world bear the name Muhammad.