Afa
A feminine name of Samoan origin meaning "sacred place of refuge".
Name Census estimates that about 5 living Americans carry the first name Afa. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Afa today is around 11 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Afa births was 2015 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Afa. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Afa. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
5
~ 1 in 68,550,868 Americans
Peak year
2015
5 babies that year
Average age
11
years old
2015 SSA rank
#12,133
Tracked since 2015
Popularity
Afa: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Afa by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Afa during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Afa
The name Afa originates from the Samoan language and culture, with its roots traced back to the early 19th century. It is derived from the Samoan word 'afa', meaning 'basalt' or 'lava rock', reflecting the volcanic nature of the Samoan islands.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Afa can be found in the Samoan oral traditions and legends, where it was often used to refer to individuals with a strong, resilient character, akin to the durability of basalt rock. This association with strength and perseverance has been a consistent theme throughout the history of the name.
In Samoan mythology, Afa was also the name of a legendary warrior known for his bravery and unwavering spirit in battles. His exploits were celebrated in traditional songs and chants, further cementing the name's symbolic connection to courage and resilience.
Notable historical figures who bore the name Afa include Afa Anoai (1942-2023), a Samoan professional wrestler and member of the renowned Anoa'i family, known for his impressive physique and technical prowess in the ring. Another prominent individual was Afa Ripley (1938-2021), a Samoan artist and cultural ambassador who dedicated his life to preserving and promoting traditional Samoan art forms.
In the realm of politics, Afa Lemi Lesa (1958-2023) was a respected Samoan diplomat and politician who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade for several years, playing a crucial role in fostering international relations and advocating for his country's interests on the global stage.
Throughout the centuries, the name Afa has also been carried by various Samoan chiefs and leaders, symbolizing their authority and influence within their communities. One such figure was Afa Malietau (1920-2005), a high-ranking chief and prominent figure in Samoan society, known for his wisdom and commitment to preserving Samoan traditions and values.
While the name Afa has its origins in Samoa, it has also gained recognition and popularity in other parts of the world, particularly among communities with Polynesian heritage or connections to the Pacific islands. Regardless of its geographical reach, the name continues to carry the essence of strength, resilience, and a deep connection to cultural roots.
People
Afa + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Afa as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with A
Other first names starting with A with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Afa: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Afa?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 5 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Afa going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 68,550,868 US residents.
Is Afa a common name?
We classify Afa as "Very Rare". It ranks above 18.2% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 5 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Afa most popular?
The single biggest year for Afa was 2015, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Afa is about 11 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Afa in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Afa a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Afa in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Afa still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Afa in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Afa can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Afa as a first name?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.