Mehmed

Mehmed is a male given name of Turkish origin, derived from the Arabic name Muhammad. It is the common Turkish form of Muhammad and has been widely used in the Ottoman Empire and in modern Turkey. Variant spellings include Mehmet and Mehmed, and the name has appeared in many languages and cultures under different transliterations.

In the Ottoman context, Mehmed was a popular name for rulers and officials alike. Several Ottoman sultans bore the name Mehmed, and the name is closely associated with the dynasty’s history. Notable bearers include Mehmed I (reigned 1413–1421), who restored unity after the Ottoman Interregnum; Mehmed II (reigned 1451–1481), known as the Conqueror for capturing Constantinople in 1453 and for expanding the empire; Mehmed III (reigned 1595–1603); Mehmed IV (reigned 1648–1687), whose era included the Köprülü reforms and significant wars with European powers; Mehmed V (reigned 1909–1918), who presided during a period of constitutional change and World War I; and Mehmed VI (reigned 1918–1922), the last Ottoman sultan, who was deposed after the empire’s dissolution.

Beyond the sultans, Mehmed appears among other Ottoman and regional leaders, merchants, and religious scholars, reflecting its broad cultural use. In modern times, the name remains common in Turkey and among Turkish-speaking communities, as well as in regions formerly influenced by Ottoman administration. The spelling Mehmet is particularly common in Turkey today, with Mehmed and Mehmet remaining alternative transliterations in English-language sources.