Dafina first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Dafina has been for the last 47 years (from 1974 to 2020) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Dafina

A feminine name of Albanian origin meaning "laurel tree".

Popularity of Dafina by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Dafina is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2020, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Dafina.

Year Male Count Female Count
2020 0 5
2017 0 5
2015 0 5
2010 0 5
2009 0 7
2007 0 5
2005 0 10
2002 0 5
2000 0 10
1999 0 5
1993 0 5
1991 0 5
1989 0 6
1985 0 5
1984 0 5
1982 0 5
1979 0 6
1978 0 8
1977 0 8
1974 0 12

The history of the first name Dafina

The name Dafina is of Albanian origin, derived from the Greek word "daphne," which means "laurel" or "bay tree." The laurel tree has been a symbol of honor and victory in many ancient cultures, including Greek and Roman civilizations.

The earliest known reference to the name Dafina can be traced back to the 16th century in Albania, where it was used as a feminine name. During this time, Albania was under Ottoman rule, and the name may have been influenced by the Turkish language, which has a similar word, "dafne," also meaning "laurel."

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Dafina was Dafina Gegprifti, an Albanian nun who lived in the 17th century. She is known for her contributions to the preservation of Albanian culture and language during the Ottoman occupation.

In the 19th century, the name gained popularity among Albanian intellectuals and writers. One notable figure was Dafina Lezhja (1888-1946), an Albanian writer and feminist who advocated for women's rights and education. Her works played a significant role in the Albanian National Awakening movement.

Another historical figure with the name Dafina was Dafina Zeqo (1904-1991), an Albanian actress and singer. She was one of the pioneers of Albanian theater and is considered a national icon in the country.

In more recent history, Dafina Zezevska (born 1953) is a Macedonian singer and actress. She has had a successful career spanning several decades and is widely recognized in the Balkan region.

Dafina Shtylla (born 1995) is a contemporary Albanian singer and songwriter. She rose to fame after winning the popular music competition "Top Fest" in 2016 and has since released several successful albums.

While the name Dafina has its roots in the Balkans, particularly in Albania and neighboring countries, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world due to its unique and melodic sound. The name's association with the laurel tree and its symbolic meaning of honor and victory have contributed to its enduring appeal across cultures.

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

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

Reference this page

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!

"Dafina first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 22, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/dafina-meaning-and-history/.

"Dafina first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/dafina-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 22 May, 2025

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

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.