Araf first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Araf has been for the last 18 years (from 2006 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Araf

An Arabic masculine name derived from the word "araf" meaning "knowledge".

Popularity of Araf by gender

Based on the last 18 years of data, Araf is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 16 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Araf.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 16 0
2022 12 0
2021 9 0
2020 11 0
2019 12 0
2018 10 0
2017 7 0
2016 13 0
2015 10 0
2014 11 0
2013 13 0
2012 13 0
2009 11 0
2008 8 0
2007 5 0
2006 8 0

The history of the first name Araf

The name Araf has its origins in the Arabic language and can be traced back to the Islamic cultures of the Middle East. It is derived from the Arabic word "Araf," which means "to know" or "to recognize." The name is believed to have emerged during the early centuries of Islam, around the 7th century AD.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Araf can be found in the Quran, the sacred text of Islam. In Surah Al-A'raf, the seventh chapter of the Quran, the term "Araf" is used to describe a elevated place or a partition between Paradise and Hell. This association with the Quranic verse may have influenced the naming traditions within Islamic communities.

The first known historical figure bearing the name Araf was Araf bin Al-Harith, a prominent Arab poet who lived in the 6th century AD. He was renowned for his eloquence and his works have been preserved in various literary anthologies of the time. Another notable figure was Araf Al-Qurashi, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist who lived in the 9th century AD and made significant contributions to the field of Islamic jurisprudence.

In the 11th century, Araf Al-Kindi, an influential Arab philosopher and scientist, gained recognition for his works in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. He was a student of the renowned scholar Al-Kindi and played a crucial role in the translation and preservation of ancient Greek texts.

During the 13th century, Araf Al-Masri, an Egyptian astronomer and mathematician, made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the development of astronomical instruments. His works were widely influential in the Islamic world and beyond.

In more recent times, Araf Karimi, an Afghan politician and diplomat, served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Afghanistan from 2010 to 2019. He played a pivotal role in international diplomacy and represented Afghanistan on various global platforms.

While the name Araf has its roots in the Arabic language and Islamic culture, it has since been adopted and used across various regions and communities around the world. Its meaning and historical significance continue to resonate with those who bear this name, reflecting a rich cultural heritage and a connection to the origins of Islamic civilization.

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

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

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"Araf first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 28, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/araf-meaning-and-history/.

"Araf first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/araf-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 28 April, 2025

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

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