NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Afaf

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "chastity" or "modesty".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Afaf is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Afaf popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4684, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 4 births.

This profile covers 11 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2004 to 2018. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 11 living people in the UK are called Afaf. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2019 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Afaf ranked #4684 for girls in England and Wales in 2018, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2011, when 4 girls were registered as Afaf.
  • About 11 living people in the UK are estimated to have Afaf as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4684

2018

Births in 2018

4

Latest year

Peak year

2011

4 births

Estimated living

11

2026

Meaning

What does Afaf mean?

The given name Afaf is of Arabic origin and is believed to have derived from the Arabic word 'afaf,' which means 'chastity' or 'modesty.' This name has been in use among Arabic-speaking communities for centuries, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa regions.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Afaf can be found in ancient Arabic literature, where it was often used as a poetic metaphor to represent the virtues of purity and honor. In some texts, the name is also associated with the concept of female beauty and grace.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Afaf. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Afaf al-Qudsi, a renowned poetess from the Abbasid era who lived in the 9th century CE. Her poetic works were widely celebrated and contributed to the rich literary tradition of the time.

Another prominent figure was Afaf Al-Thunayyan, a Saudi Arabian advocate for women's rights and education. Born in 1914, she played a significant role in promoting women's literacy and empowerment in Saudi Arabia during the mid-20th century.

In the field of literature, Afaf Lutfi Al-Sayyid Marsot was an Egyptian-American historian and author, known for her influential works on the social and political history of Egypt. She was born in 1933 and contributed extensively to the study of modern Egyptian history.

Afaf Beiruty was a distinguished Lebanese actress and director who left a lasting impact on the Arab film industry. Born in 1922, she was celebrated for her versatile performances and her contributions to promoting Arab cinema on the international stage.

Afaf Meleis, a Lebanese-American nurse and academic, is another notable figure associated with the name. Born in 1942, she is recognized for her pioneering work in the field of transcultural nursing and has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to nursing education and research.

While these examples highlight the historical usage of the name Afaf, it is important to note that the name's popularity and cultural significance may have evolved over time, reflecting the diverse and dynamic nature of naming traditions across regions and communities.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Afaf over time

The chart below shows babies named Afaf registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Afaf, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2018, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Afaf
01234200420112018

Decades

Afaf by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Afaf was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2010s #4724 8 2
2000s #4598 3 1

Related

Names similar to Afaf

FAQ

Afaf: questions and answers

How popular is the name Afaf in the UK right now?

In 2018, Afaf was ranked #4684 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Afaf most popular?

The peak year on record was 2011, with 4 babies registered as Afaf in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Afaf?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "chastity" or "modesty".

How many people are called Afaf in the UK?

A total of 11 babies have been registered as Afaf across the 3 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.