Find out how popular the first name Safiyah has been for the last 39 years (from 1985 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Safiyah by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Safiyah is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 46 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Safiyah.

The history of the first name Safiyah

The name Safiyah originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the word "safi" which means "pure" or "sincere". It is a feminine name that has been in use for centuries in the Islamic world and the Middle East.

The earliest known historical reference to the name Safiyah comes from the life of the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE. Safiyah bint Huyayy was a Jewish woman from the tribe of Banu Nadir who became one of the wives of the Prophet after her husband was killed in battle. She is remembered as a pious and respected figure in Islamic history.

In the 8th century CE, Safiyah al-Sulamiyyah was a renowned Islamic scholar and poet from Medina. She was known for her expertise in hadith (sayings of the Prophet) and her contributions to the field of Arabic literature.

Another notable bearer of the name was Safiyah al-Zahra, who lived in the 12th century CE. She was the daughter of the famous Sufi poet and philosopher, Ibn Arabi, and was herself a respected scholar and spiritual leader.

In the 19th century, Safiyah Khatun was a influential figure in the Ottoman Empire. She was the wife of Sultan Abdulhamid II and played a significant role in promoting education and charitable works during her husband's reign.

More recently, Safiyah Al-Bahlani was a prominent Yemeni activist and politician who fought for women's rights and social justice in the 20th century. She served as a member of the Yemeni Parliament and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of women and marginalized communities.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Safiyah, a name that has embodied the qualities of purity, sincerity, and wisdom across various cultures and time periods.

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

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

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