NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Hafeez

Meaning "guardian" or "protector" of Arabic origin.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Hafeez is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Hafeez popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4608, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 8 births.

This profile covers 93 England and Wales registrations across 20 recorded years from 1996 to 2020. 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 92 living people in the UK are called Hafeez. 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 2021 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Hafeez ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1996, when 8 boys were registered as Hafeez.
  • About 92 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hafeez as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4608

2020

Births in 2020

3

Latest year

Peak year

1996

8 births

Estimated living

92

2026

Meaning

What does Hafeez mean?

The name Hafeez finds its origins in the Arabic language and Islamic culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "hafiz," which means "protector" or "guardian." The name is rooted in the concept of preserving and safeguarding something of great value, often associated with the Islamic tradition of memorizing and reciting the Quran.

Historically, the title "Hafiz" was bestowed upon individuals who had committed the entire Quran to memory. These individuals were highly revered in the Islamic world for their dedication and mastery of the holy scripture. The name Hafeez, therefore, carries a connotation of respect and admiration within Muslim communities.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Hafeez can be traced back to the medieval Islamic period, when it was commonly used among scholars, religious leaders, and those who excelled in the study and preservation of Islamic teachings. One of the earliest known figures bearing the name Hafeez was Hafeez Ibn Qutaybah, a renowned Arabic scholar and linguist who lived in the 9th century CE.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Hafeez. One of the most famous was Hafeez Shirazi, a celebrated Persian poet who lived in the 14th century CE. His poetry, particularly his ghazals (lyrical poems), has left an indelible mark on Persian literature and continues to be widely read and appreciated today.

Another prominent figure was Hafeez Jalandhari, a Sufi saint and poet from the Indian subcontinent who lived in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His writings and teachings have had a profound influence on the Sufi tradition in South Asia, and his mausoleum in Jalandhar, India, remains a popular pilgrimage site.

In the modern era, Hafeez Ahmed, a renowned Pakistani cricketer who played from the 1960s to the 1980s, brought international recognition to the name. He was a talented all-rounder and is considered one of the greatest players in Pakistan's cricketing history.

Hafeez Contractor, an Indian architect and urban planner, has also made significant contributions to the field of architecture and urban design. His work has shaped the landscape of several cities in India and abroad, earning him numerous accolades and awards.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have carried the name Hafeez. The name's rich heritage and cultural significance continue to make it a popular choice among families in various parts of the world, particularly in regions with a strong Islamic influence or connection.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Hafeez over time

The chart below shows babies named Hafeez registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Hafeez, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 8 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Hafeez
02468199620082020

Decades

Hafeez by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hafeez 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 #4608 3 1
2010s #3901 27 6
2000s #3021 39 9
1990s #1926 24 4

Related

Names similar to Hafeez

FAQ

Hafeez: questions and answers

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

In 2020, Hafeez was ranked #4608 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Hafeez most popular?

The peak year on record was 1996, with 8 babies registered as Hafeez in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Hafeez?

Meaning "guardian" or "protector" of Arabic origin.

How many people are called Hafeez in the UK?

A total of 93 babies have been registered as Hafeez across the 20 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.