The name Afnaan is derived from the Arabic word "afnan," which means "branches" or "twigs." It is a plural form of the word "fann," meaning "branch" or "twig." The name has its origins in the Middle Eastern region, particularly among Arabic-speaking communities.

The earliest recorded use of the name Afnaan can be traced back to the 19th century in the Baha'i Faith, a religion founded by Baha'u'llah in Persia (now Iran). In the Baha'i writings, Afnaan is a title given to the descendants of the Bab, the forerunner of Baha'u'llah. The Bab, whose given name was Siyyid Ali Muhammad, had several sons and daughters, and their descendants were referred to as the Afnaan.

One of the most notable Afnaan in Baha'i history was Mirza Aqa Jan, also known as Nur'd-Din Afnaan (1837-1892). He was the eldest son of the Bab and played a significant role in the early years of the Baha'i Faith. Another prominent figure was Mirza Yahya Nuri, also known as Subh-i-Azal (1831-1912), who was a half-brother of Baha'u'llah and briefly led a faction of the Baha'i community before being excommunicated.

Outside of the Baha'i Faith, the name Afnaan has been used by individuals from various Arabic-speaking countries, although its usage has been relatively uncommon. One notable individual with the name Afnaan was Afnaan Khurshi (1938-2004), a Pakistani literary critic and scholar who wrote extensively on Urdu literature and poetry.

Another individual with the name Afnaan was Afnaan Qazizada (born in the 1970s), an Afghan artist and calligrapher known for her intricate calligraphic works and contributions to preserving traditional Afghan art forms.

It is worth noting that while the name Afnaan has its roots in the Arabic language and the Baha'i Faith, it has also been adopted by individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and regions, although its usage remains relatively rare compared to more common Arabic names.