Afia
A girl's name of Arabic origin with 594 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name. A female given name from Arabic. A female given name from Akan.
Afia is a girl's baby name of Arabic origin (also used in Akan naming traditions), from the Arabic meaning 'safe' or 'protected,' and in the Akan tradition of West Africa it is a name given to a girl born on Friday.
Afia is used across two distinct naming traditions — Arabic and West African — giving it a beautiful dual heritage. In Ghana and the Akan diaspora, day-names like Afia carry cultural significance as a marker of the child's birthday and place in the community. Its soft, two-syllable sound makes it instantly memorable and easy to pronounce across many languages.
EtymologyShow more
Afia is cataloged under the Arabic naming tradition. Arabic names frequently carry layered meanings tied to virtue, beauty, or devotion — a naming tradition where the meaning of a name is considered deeply important.
In the U.S., Afia has been recorded as a girl's name since 1972, with 594 total births. Browse the Arabic names hub on this site to explore the broader family.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Afia climbed 1322 spots in the last 20 years — from #5975 to #4653.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 110 | #5789 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 178 | #6934 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 166 | #7293 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 66 | #10941 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 26 | #9245 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 48 | #8240 | — |
The Story of Afia
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2024, Afia is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Afia are most likely born between 2014 and 2024.
How rare is Afia?
Only about 1 in every 124,138 babies born in 2024 was named Afia — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 178 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Afia by the numbers
- Would fill 12 school buses
- Meeting one Afia per day would take 1.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(46 years, 1972–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29 | #4653 |
| 2023 | 20 | #5963 |
| 2022 | 16 | #6983 |
| 2021 | 17 | #6697 |
| 2020 | 28 | #4647 |
| 2019 | 21 | #5797 |
| 2018 | 18 | #6526 |
| 2017 | 23 | #5517 |
| 2016 | 12 | #8889 |
| 2015 | 23 | #5658 |
| 2014 | 15 | #7647 |
| 2013 | 17 | #7040 |
| 2012 | 19 | #6584 |
| 2011 | 15 | #7789 |
| 2010 | 15 | #7890 |
| 2009 | 20 | #6553 |
| 2008 | 13 | #8984 |
| 2007 | 27 | #5233 |
| 2006 | 18 | #6849 |
| 2005 | 16 | #7149 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Afia a boy's or girl's name?
When was Afia most popular?
How popular is the name Afia?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2024