Alifa first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Alifa has been for the last 8 years (from 2016 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Alifa

A feminine Arabic name meaning "honourable companion" or "outstanding friend".

Popularity of Alifa by gender

Based on the last 8 years of data, Alifa is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Alifa.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 5
2022 0 6
2021 0 5
2019 0 6
2016 0 7

The history of the first name Alifa

The name Alifa is of Arabic origin and is derived from the word "alfa," which means "first" or "the beginning." This name has been in use since ancient times and has its roots in the Arabic language and culture.

In the Islamic tradition, the name Alifa is often associated with the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, which is also called "alif." This letter holds great significance in the Arabic language and is considered a symbol of unity and oneness.

Some historical records suggest that the name Alifa was mentioned in ancient Arabic texts and manuscripts, although specific references are limited. It is believed that the name gained popularity during the golden age of the Islamic civilization, particularly in regions where Arabic was the predominant language.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Alifa can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab scholar and philosopher, Al-Farabi (870-950 CE). He mentioned a student named Alifa in one of his works, providing a glimpse into the use of this name during that time period.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Alifa. One such person was Alifa bint Al-Qasim (d. 980 CE), a renowned Arab poet and scholar from Cordoba, Spain. Her poetry and literary works were highly regarded and celebrated in her era.

Another notable figure was Alifa Al-Andalusi (1020-1090 CE), a prominent mathematician and astronomer from Islamic Spain. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and wrote several treatises on various subjects.

In the 12th century, Alifa Al-Hadrami (1120-1190 CE) was a renowned Sufi scholar and mystic from Yemen. His teachings and writings on Islamic spirituality and mysticism were widely read and studied.

During the 13th century, Alifa Al-Maghribi (1210-1283 CE) was a renowned physician and philosopher from Morocco. He wrote extensively on topics ranging from medicine to metaphysics and was highly respected in his field.

Lastly, Alifa Al-Shirazi (1350-1420 CE) was a Persian poet and calligrapher from Shiraz, Iran. His poetic works and intricate calligraphic styles were celebrated throughout the Persian literary world.

While the name Alifa has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and has been adopted by various communities around the world, each imbuing it with their own cultural and linguistic nuances.

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

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

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"Alifa first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/alifa-meaning-and-history/.

"Alifa first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/alifa-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 26 May, 2025

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

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