Was anyone named Ahmad before the Prophet (peace be upon him)?

No one was named "Ahmad" before the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, for it is authentically reported from him that he said: "I have five names: I am Muhammad and I am Ahmad." No one was named with this name during his time or the time of his companions, as a protection for this name which the prophets had foretold. The first person to be named "Ahmad" in Islam was Ahmad ibn Umar ibn Tamim, the father of Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Aroudi.