Find out how popular the first name Afra has been for the last 45 years (from 1979 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.
A feminine Arabic name meaning "pious" or "virtuous".
Based on the last 45 years of data, Afra is exclusively a female name.
For the most recent data in 2023, there were 13 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Afra.
Year | Male Count | Female Count |
---|---|---|
2023 | 0 | 13 |
2022 | 0 | 7 |
2021 | 0 | 9 |
2020 | 0 | 9 |
2018 | 0 | 6 |
2017 | 0 | 5 |
2016 | 0 | 8 |
2014 | 0 | 6 |
2013 | 0 | 5 |
2012 | 0 | 9 |
2010 | 0 | 7 |
2009 | 0 | 10 |
2008 | 0 | 7 |
2006 | 0 | 14 |
2005 | 0 | 6 |
2004 | 0 | 8 |
2003 | 0 | 8 |
2002 | 0 | 8 |
2000 | 0 | 7 |
1999 | 0 | 6 |
1996 | 0 | 8 |
1995 | 0 | 5 |
1993 | 0 | 8 |
1992 | 0 | 5 |
1979 | 0 | 5 |
The name Afra is derived from the Greek word "aphros," meaning "foam" or "froth." Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was a relatively uncommon name given to girls.
The name gained wider recognition and popularity in the early days of Christianity. One of the earliest recorded instances was Saint Afra, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD. She was a penitent courtesan from Augsburg, Germany, who converted to Christianity and was later beheaded for her faith during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Another notable figure bearing the name Afra was Afra of Brescia, an Italian noblewoman from the 6th century. She was known for her piety and charitable works, and after her death, she was venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church.
In the 11th century, Afra of Augsburg, a Benedictine abbess, gained prominence for her leadership and devotion to her religious order. She played a significant role in the establishment of the Monastery of St. Stephen in Augsburg, Germany.
During the Renaissance period, the name Afra was also associated with Afra Saba, an Italian humanist and scholar born in 1466. She was highly educated and well-versed in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and she contributed to the intellectual and cultural discourse of her time.
Another notable figure was Afra Behn, an English playwright, and novelist born in 1640. She is often referred to as the first professional female writer in English literature and is known for her novel "Oroonoko" and her plays, which explored themes of gender, race, and social class.
Over the centuries, the name Afra has maintained a presence, although it has remained relatively uncommon compared to other names. Its Greek roots and association with historical figures from various cultures and time periods have contributed to its enduring appeal and significance.
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 Afra was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.
If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Afra, please contact us.
We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.
If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!
<a href="http://namecensus.com/first-names/afra-meaning-and-history/">Afra first name popularity, history and meaning</a>
Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.
Simple as that.