Afifah
A girl's name of Arabic origin with 15 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
When Afifah hit its peak of 5 births in 2003, the internet was beginning to expose parents to a wider world of naming options, and pop culture influence on baby names was at an all-time high.
Today, Afifah reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Afifah is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Afifah is a girl's baby name of Arabic origin, the feminine form of Afif, meaning 'chaste,' 'virtuous,' or 'pure.' In Islamic tradition, afifah describes a woman of moral integrity and dignified character.
Afifah is a name of graceful virtue — used in Muslim communities as a declaration of moral character, for parents who want their daughter to embody purity of heart.
EtymologyShow more
Afifah is built from 6 letters and three syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Arabic naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Afifah creates its characteristic open, warm quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Afifah has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2003.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 10 | #16883 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 5 | #15828 | — |
The Story of Afifah
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2003, Afifah is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Afifah are most likely born between 2003 and 2012.
How rare is Afifah?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Afifah is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2003, peaked in the 2010s with 10 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 2003–2012)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 | #16940 |
| 2011 | 5 | #16825 |
| 2003 | 5 | #15828 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Afifah a boy's or girl's name?
When was Afifah most popular?
How popular is the name Afifah?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2003–2012