UK girl's name
Dafina
A feminine name of Albanian origin meaning "laurel tree".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Dafina is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Dafina popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4709, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 4 births.
This profile covers 8 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2001 to 2023. 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 8 living people in the UK are called Dafina. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Dafina ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 4 girls were registered as Dafina.
- • About 8 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dafina as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4709
2023
Births in 2023
4
Latest year
Peak year
2001
4 births
Estimated living
8
2026
Meaning
What does Dafina mean?
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.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Dafina over time
The chart below shows babies named Dafina registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Dafina, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Dafina by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dafina 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 | #4709 | 4 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3262 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Dafina
- Daisy 49,435
- Danielle 13,507
- Darcie 11,010
- Darcy 10,516
- Darcey 9,708
- Delilah 9,098
- Demi 9,052
- Daniella 4,324
- Destiny 3,732
- Diana 3,258
- Dorothy 3,104
- Dolly 2,246
FAQ
Dafina: questions and answers
How popular is the name Dafina in the UK right now?
In 2023, Dafina was ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Dafina most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 4 babies registered as Dafina in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Dafina?
A feminine name of Albanian origin meaning "laurel tree".
How many people are called Dafina in the UK?
A total of 8 babies have been registered as Dafina across the 2 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.