Find out how popular the first name Alif has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Alif by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Alif is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Alif.

The history of the first name Alif

The name Alif finds its origins in Arabic, one of the world's oldest living languages. Derived from the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, alif (أ), the name's earliest known usage dates back to the 7th century AD during the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula.

In Arabic, the word alif symbolizes the concept of oneness or unity, reflecting the monotheistic beliefs of Islam. It is believed that the name Alif was initially used as a symbolic representation of the divine essence or the unity of God.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Alif can be found in the Qur'an, the central religious text of Islam. However, it is not used as a personal name but rather as a reference to the alphabetic letter.

Throughout Islamic history, the name Alif has been borne by several notable figures. One such individual was Alif ibn Qais al-Nakhai, an 8th-century Arab grammarian and scholar who made significant contributions to the study of Arabic grammar and linguistics.

Another prominent figure with the name Alif was Alif ibn Abi Talib, a 9th-century Arab mathematician and astronomer from Baghdad. He is credited with several important works on arithmetic and geometry, including a treatise on the calculation of inheritance shares according to Islamic law.

In the realm of literature, Alif ibn Yahya al-Basri was a renowned 10th-century Arab poet and scholar from Basra, known for his mastery of Arabic poetry and prose.

The name Alif also found its way into Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam. Alif ibn Malik al-Tirmidhi was an 11th-century Sufi mystic and scholar from Termez, now in modern-day Uzbekistan, who wrote extensively on the spiritual aspects of Islam.

In more recent times, Alif Laila, an Indian writer and activist from the early 20th century, gained recognition for her work on women's rights and social reform, particularly in the Indian subcontinent.

While the name Alif has its roots in Arabic and Islamic culture, it has transcended borders and been adopted by various communities around the world, each adding their own cultural significance and interpretations to the name.

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

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

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