NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Atifa

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "kind" or "gentle".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Atifa is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Atifa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4634, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 8 births.

This profile covers 85 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 1997 to 2021. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 85 living people in the UK are called Atifa. 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 2022 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Atifa ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1999, when 8 girls were registered as Atifa.
  • About 85 living people in the UK are estimated to have Atifa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4634

2021

Births in 2021

4

Latest year

Peak year

1999

8 births

Estimated living

85

2026

Meaning

What does Atifa mean?

The given name Atifa is believed to have originated from the Arabic language. Its roots can be traced back to the 7th century AD during the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. The name Atifa is derived from the Arabic word "atfah," which means "gift" or "present."

In its early days, the name Atifa was primarily used within Arab communities and regions influenced by Islamic culture. Over time, as trade and cultural exchange grew, the name spread to other parts of the world, particularly in regions with significant Muslim populations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Atifa can be found in the historical chronicles of the Umayyad Caliphate, which ruled over a vast empire spanning from the Iberian Peninsula to Central Asia between 661 and 750 AD. However, specific details about individuals bearing this name during that period are scarce.

Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the name Atifa. One such individual was Atifa bint al-Husayn (1197-1283), a renowned Sufi mystic and poet from Damascus. Her literary works and spiritual teachings gained widespread recognition in the Islamic world during her lifetime.

Another prominent figure was Atifa al-Andalusiyya (1201-1270), a renowned scholar and poet from Cordoba, Al-Andalus (modern-day Spain). She was highly respected for her contributions to literature, philosophy, and the sciences during the golden age of Islamic culture in the Iberian Peninsula.

In the 14th century, Atifa al-Farahidiyya (1310-1378) was a celebrated calligrapher and artist from Baghdad. Her intricate calligraphic works adorned many mosques and institutions of learning across the region, earning her a lasting legacy in the art of Arabic calligraphy.

In more recent times, Atifa Aman (1892-1977) was a renowned Afghan poet and writer who played a significant role in the literary and cultural renaissance of her country during the early 20th century. Her works often focused on themes of patriotism, women's rights, and social reform.

Another notable figure was Atifa Afaf (1924-2011), an Egyptian actress and singer who graced the stage and silver screen for over six decades. She was widely regarded as one of the most influential and iconic figures in the history of Egyptian cinema and music.

These are just a few examples of the individuals who have carried the name Atifa throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage across different regions and eras.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Atifa over time

The chart below shows babies named Atifa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Atifa, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2021, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Atifa
02468199720092021

Decades

Atifa by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Atifa 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
2020s #4634 4 1
2010s #4685 26 6
2000s #3711 44 10
1990s #2897 11 2

Related

Names similar to Atifa

FAQ

Atifa: questions and answers

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

In 2021, Atifa was ranked #4634 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Atifa most popular?

The peak year on record was 1999, with 8 babies registered as Atifa in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Atifa?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "kind" or "gentle".

How many people are called Atifa in the UK?

A total of 85 babies have been registered as Atifa across the 19 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.