Afi
A girl's name of African origin with 52 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Afi, you're looking at a name that fewer than 52 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The open, approachable ending gives Afi a crisp, modern feel that pairs easily with most surnames.
Afi is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Afi is a girl's baby name of African origin, from the Ewe and Akan languages of Ghana, traditionally given to girls born on a Friday — as Afi is the day-name for Friday in the Ewe tradition. Day-names are a beautiful West African custom where a child's birth day becomes part of their identity.
Afi is short, strong, and entirely unique in English-speaking contexts. It carries a cultural richness from Ghanaian tradition that most Western names simply cannot match — a name that immediately tells a story about when and where a child entered the world.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Afi is a girl's name with a focused stretch of recorded use (1972–1980). Its African roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 52 total births, Afi exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Afi has 6+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1972.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 | #9102 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 46 | #6422 | — |
The Story of Afi
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1977, Afi is a Gen X staple. Girls named Afi are most likely born between 1972 and 1980.
How rare is Afi?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Afi is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, peaked in the 1970s with 46 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Afi by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(6 years, 1972–1980)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 6 | #9102 |
| 1978 | 5 | #9758 |
| 1977 | 13 | #4943 |
| 1976 | 7 | #7304 |
| 1973 | 9 | #5581 |
| 1972 | 12 | #4524 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Afi a boy's or girl's name?
When was Afi most popular?
How popular is the name Afi?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–1980