Seif

A boy's name of Arabic origin with 260 recorded U.S. births.

Boy's name#12076 in 2024Declining

Meaning & Origin

A surname.

Seif is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, meaning 'sword' or 'the sword of Islam' — from the Arabic sayf (sword), one of the most powerfully symbolic names in Arabic and Islamic naming traditions.

The sword in Islamic tradition represents justice, the warrior spirit, and the defense of truth. Seif al-Din ('sword of the faith') was a common epithet for Muslim warriors and scholars. With over 260 recorded U.S. births, Seif has genuine presence in Arab American and Muslim communities who appreciate both its martial and spiritual resonance.

EtymologyShow more

Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Seif is rooted in the Arabic tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1998 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.

Seif’s rarity (260 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.

At a Glance

260

Total births

Since 1998

2014

Peak

16 births

1998

First recorded

27 years of data

Compare Seif with another name

Popularity Over Time

Seif was #7429 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #12076, but its charm endures.

First appeared: 1998Peak: 2014 (16 births)Current: #12076

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Seif
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	54	#8419	▼
2010s	113	#7664	▲
2000s	86	#8476	▲
1990s	7	#8302	—

The Story of Seif

A Gen Alpha name

Peaking in 2014, Seif is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Seif are most likely born between 2004 and 2024.

How rare is Seif?

Only about 1 in every 600,000 babies born in 2024 was named Seif — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1998, peaked in the 2010s with 113 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.

Seif by the numbers

Would fill 5 school buses

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(25 years, 1998–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Seif
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	6	#12076	-8 (-57.1%)
2023	14	#6453	0
2022	14	#6415	+7 (100.0%)
2021	7	#10590	-6 (-46.2%)
2020	13	#6559	+1 (8.3%)
2019	12	#7102	0
2018	12	#7051	+6 (100.0%)
2017	6	#11982	-6 (-50.0%)
2016	12	#7070	-2 (-14.3%)
2015	14	#6254	-2 (-12.5%)
2014	16	#5675	+5 (45.5%)
2013	11	#7469	+1 (10.0%)
2012	10	#8040	0
2011	10	#7963	0
2010	10	#8035	-4 (-28.6%)
2009	14	#6369	+6 (75.0%)
2008	8	#9712	+1 (14.3%)
2007	7	#10708	+2 (40.0%)
2006	5	#13664	-9 (-64.3%)
2005	14	#5828	+4 (40.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Seif a boy's or girl's name?

Seif is primarily a boy's name.

When was Seif most popular?

Seif reached its peak popularity in 2014 with 16 births that year. It is currently ranked #12076 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Seif?

Seif is currently ranked #12076 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 260 babies since 1998.

Explore More

By Length4-letter names By OriginArabic names By EndingNames in -f TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1998–2024