Afifah first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Afifah has been for the last 10 years (from 2003 to 2012) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Afifah

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "chaste" or "virtuous".

Popularity of Afifah by gender

Based on the last 10 years of data, Afifah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2012, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Afifah.

Year Male Count Female Count
2012 0 5
2011 0 5
2003 0 5

The history of the first name Afifah

The name Afifah is of Arabic origin, derived from the root word 'afaf,' which means chastity, modesty, or virtue. It is a popular name in the Islamic world and has been used for centuries.

In Islamic tradition, the name Afifah is believed to be derived from the name of one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, Aisha. She was known for her piety, intelligence, and wisdom, and her name was often used as a model for virtuous women.

The earliest recorded use of the name Afifah can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the early years of the Islamic era. It was a common name among Arab women during this time, as it reflected the values of modesty and virtue that were highly esteemed in Islamic culture.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Afifah was Afifah bint Abd al-Muttalib, a relative of the Prophet Muhammad who lived in the 6th century CE. She was known for her charitable works and her devotion to her faith.

Another notable figure with the name Afifah was Afifah al-Qibtiyyah, a 9th century Egyptian mathematician and astronomer. She made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and was one of the earliest female scholars in the Islamic world.

In the 12th century, Afifah bint Abdullah al-Andalusi was a renowned poet and scholar from Andalusia (modern-day Spain). Her poetry was highly regarded, and she was celebrated for her intellect and creativity.

During the Ottoman Empire, Afifah Sultan was a prominent figure in the 16th century. She was the daughter of Sultan Selim I and was known for her philanthropic works and her patronage of the arts and architecture.

In more recent history, Afifah al-Khatib was a Palestinian activist and educator who lived from 1901 to 1992. She was a pioneer in the field of women's education in Palestine and played a crucial role in establishing schools for girls in the region.

The name Afifah has remained popular among Muslim communities around the world, and it continues to be a symbol of virtue, modesty, and piety. Its rich history and cultural significance have made it a cherished name for generations.

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 Afifah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Afifah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 21, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/afifah-meaning-and-history/.

"Afifah first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/afifah-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 21 July, 2025

Afifah first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/afifah-meaning-and-history/.

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