Shafi
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 58 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Urdu.
Shafi is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, from shafī meaning 'healer, intercessor, one who helps.' In Islamic theology, Al-Shafi ('The Healer') is one of the names of God. The famous Islamic jurist Imam Al-Shafi'i founded one of the four major schools of Islamic law in the 9th century.
Spiritually rich and quietly powerful, Shafi is a name that carries both divine and scholarly legacy in just two syllables.
EtymologyShow more
Shafi first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1974. First appearing in the 1970s, Shafi emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Arabic classification suggests a path from arabic linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Shafi has 10+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1974.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 16 | #13242 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 25 | #11046 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 11 | #9871 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 6 | #5131 | — |
The Story of Shafi
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2009, Shafi is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Shafi are most likely born between 1999 and 2017.
How rare is Shafi?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Shafi is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1974, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 25 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Shafi by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(10 years, 1974–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | #11992 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13718 |
| 2011 | 5 | #14015 |
| 2009 | 7 | #10787 |
| 2006 | 6 | #11819 |
| 2005 | 6 | #11234 |
| 2001 | 6 | #10345 |
| 1998 | 6 | #9454 |
| 1996 | 5 | #10288 |
| 1974 | 6 | #5131 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shafi a boy's or girl's name?
When was Shafi most popular?
How popular is the name Shafi?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1974–2017