Meaning of Zohran Kwame Mamdani’s Name

Zohran Mamdani, set to become New York City’s first Muslim-Indian mayor in January 2026, is also the youngest mayor since 1892. The 34-year-old won the Democratic nomination with a platform focused on affordability, appealing particularly to young voters. Born in Uganda to Indian parents and a naturalized U.S. citizen, Mamdani’s name reflects his multicultural heritage, with “Mamdani” signifying “Mohammadan” and “Kwame” linked to Ghanaian independence leader Kwame Nkrumah.