Find out how popular the first name Hafez has been for the last 4 years (from 2020 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Hafez by gender

Based on the last 4 years of data, Hafez 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 Hafez.

The history of the first name Hafez

The name Hafez is of Arabic origin and has its roots in the language of the Quran. It is derived from the Arabic word "hafiz," which means "guardian" or "protector." The name carries a religious connotation and is often associated with individuals who have memorized the entire Quran.

One of the earliest and most famous bearers of the name Hafez was the Persian poet, Shams al-Din Muhammad Hafez-e Shirazi, who lived from 1315 to 1390. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets in the Persian language and is often referred to as the "Tongue of the Unseen." His collection of poems, known as the Divan-e Hafez, is considered a masterpiece of Persian literature and has been widely translated and studied.

Another notable figure in history with the name Hafez was Hafez al-Asad, the former President of Syria. He ruled the country from 1971 until his death in 2000 and played a significant role in shaping the modern Middle East. Hafez al-Asad was known for his authoritarian rule and his involvement in the Yom Kippur War against Israel.

In Islamic history, there have been several prominent scholars and religious figures with the name Hafez. One such figure was Hafez Ibn Kathir, a renowned Islamic scholar and historian who lived from 1301 to 1373. He is best known for his monumental work, Al-Bidayah wa'l-Nihayah (The Beginning and the End), which is a comprehensive history of the world from the creation until his time.

Another notable bearer of the name Hafez was Hafez Shirazi, a Persian calligrapher and painter who lived from 1880 to 1944. He was renowned for his mastery of the Nasta'liq script and his exquisite paintings, which often depicted scenes from Persian literature and mythology.

In more recent times, Hafez Musa Kadara was a Nigerian writer and playwright who lived from 1942 to 2016. He is considered one of the most influential figures in modern African literature and is best known for his novels, such as The Interpreters and The Travellers.

While the name Hafez has its roots in Arabic and Persian cultures, it has also been adopted by individuals from various backgrounds and ethnicities around the world, reflecting the diverse and rich tapestry of human culture and history.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Hafez, 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!