Murtala
Murtala is a Muslim boy name meaning “Chosen, one with whom God is pleased”.
| Meaning | Chosen, one with whom God is pleased |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Arabic, Hausa form |
| Arabic spelling | مرتضى |
| Pronunciation | moor-TAH-lah |
| Arabic root | ر ض ي (r-ḍ-y) — to be pleased, content |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Murtala
Murtala is the Hausa form of the Arabic Murtaḍā (مرتضى), from the root r-ḍ-y, 'to be pleased' or 'to be content'. Murtaḍā describes someone who has been approved and chosen, someone with whom God is pleased. So the name is translated as 'chosen', 'approved' or 'one who pleases God'. Al-Murtaḍā is also a famous title of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which has made the name widely loved.
The change from Murtaḍā to Murtala comes from Hausa, where the Arabic emphatic 'ḍ' sound is often rendered as 'l', a pattern also seen in other Arabic loanwords in the language. The name is popular across Nigeria, especially in the north and among Yoruba Muslims, and it is closely tied to General Murtala Mohammed, head of state from 1975 until his assassination in 1976, after whom the international airport in Lagos is named. In South Asia the same name appears as Murtaza, and in Iran as Mortaza or Morteza. Pronunciation is moor-TAH-lah.
Famous people named Murtala
- Murtala Mohammed — Nigerian head of state, 1975–1976
Is Murtala a Muslim name?
Yes. Murtala is a Muslim name. It is the Hausa form of Murtada, a title of Ali ibn Abi Talib, and is popular among Muslims in Nigeria.
Is Murtala in the Quran?
The root r-ḍ-y appears often in the Quran, as in 'Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him' (Quran 98:8).
Where is the name Murtala used?
Popular across Nigeria, especially in the north and among Yoruba Muslims.
Gifts with the name Murtala
- Murtala name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Murtala baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Murtala
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More boy names like Murtala
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Murtala mean?
Murtala means 'Chosen, one with whom God is pleased'. It comes from Arabic, Hausa form.
Is Murtala a Muslim name?
Yes. Murtala is a Muslim name. It is the Hausa form of Murtada, a title of Ali ibn Abi Talib, and is popular among Muslims in Nigeria.
How do you write Murtala in Arabic?
Murtala is written مرتضى in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Murtala?
Murtala is pronounced moor-TAH-lah.
Is Murtala mentioned in the Quran?
The root r-ḍ-y appears often in the Quran, as in 'Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him' (Quran 98:8).
Is Murtala the same as Murtaza?
Yes. Murtala is the Hausa form and Murtaza the South Asian form of the Arabic Murtada.
What is the meaning of Murtala in Islam?
It means 'chosen' or 'one with whom God is pleased', and it is a title of Ali ibn Abi Talib.