Find out how popular the first name Afif has been for the last 27 years (from 1992 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Afif by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Afif is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Afif.

The history of the first name Afif

The name Afif originates from the Arabic language and has been in use since ancient times. It is derived from the root word "afaf," which means "chastity," "modesty," or "purity." The name is believed to have been popular among the early Arab tribes and communities in the Arabian Peninsula.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Afif can be found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. It is mentioned as the name of a companion of the Prophet Muhammad who lived in the 7th century. This early association with Islamic history likely contributed to the name's enduring popularity among Muslims throughout the centuries.

In the medieval period, the name Afif was borne by several notable figures in the Islamic world. One such figure was Afif al-Din Tilimsani, a 12th-century Sufi scholar and poet from present-day Algeria. Another was Afif al-Din al-Yafi'i, a 13th-century Yemeni jurist and scholar of hadith (Islamic traditions).

During the Ottoman Empire, the name Afif was particularly popular among the ruling elite and aristocracy. One notable bearer was Afif Pasha, a 19th-century Ottoman statesman and Grand Vizier (prime minister) who served under Sultan Abdülmecid I.

In the modern era, Afif has remained a commonly used name in various Arabic-speaking countries. Some notable bearers include:

1. Afif Safieh (born 1950), a Palestinian diplomat and former ambassador to several countries.
2. Afif Bawarshi (1933-2022), a renowned Egyptian actor and comedian.
3. Afif Izzeddin (born 1945), a Lebanese musician and composer known for his contributions to Arabic jazz and world music.
4. Afif Osman (born 1977), a Sudanese Olympic long-distance runner who specialized in marathons.
5. Afif Shobozshi (1938-2021), an Iraqi artist and sculptor renowned for his abstract and avant-garde works.

The name Afif has a rich historical legacy, spanning various regions, cultures, and fields of human endeavor. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its positive connotations of purity and modesty, as well as its deep roots in Islamic and Arab traditions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Afif was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Afif, please contact us.

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