NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Haneefah

A feminine Arabic name meaning "truth seeker" or "following the true path".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Haneefah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Haneefah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 11 births.

This profile covers 119 England and Wales registrations across 23 recorded years from 1997 to 2024. 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 55% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 118 living people in the UK are called Haneefah. 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 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Haneefah ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2010, when 11 girls were registered as Haneefah.
  • About 118 living people in the UK are estimated to have Haneefah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3695

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2010

11 births

Estimated living

118

2026

Meaning

What does Haneefah mean?

The name Haneefah is of Arabic origin, derived from the root word "hanif," which means "true" or "upright." It is a name associated with the Islamic faith and carries significant cultural and religious significance.

The name Haneefah is believed to have been in use since the early days of Islam, around the 7th century CE. It is associated with the concept of monotheism and the rejection of idolatry. The term "hanif" is mentioned in the Quran, referring to those who followed the pure monotheistic faith of Prophet Abraham.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Haneefah was Haneefah ibn Qays, a renowned Islamic scholar who lived in the 7th century CE. He was a prominent jurist and founded the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence, which is one of the four major Sunni schools of law.

Another notable figure with the name Haneefah was Haneefah bint al-Husayn, a granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad. She lived in the 7th century CE and was known for her piety and knowledge of Islamic teachings.

In the 9th century CE, Haneefah al-Nu'man was a renowned poet and writer from Baghdad. Her literary works, including poetry and prose, were highly regarded during her time and contributed to the cultural and literary landscape of the Abbasid era.

During the 12th century CE, Haneefah al-Khayyat was a respected Islamic scholar and jurist from Khurasan, a historical region in present-day Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia. She was renowned for her expertise in Islamic law and her contributions to the field of jurisprudence.

In the 19th century, Haneefah Haider was a prominent educator and social reformer from India. She played a significant role in promoting education among women and advocating for their rights during the British colonial period.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Haneefah. The name has maintained its cultural and religious significance within the Islamic tradition, representing values of truthfulness, uprightness, and a strong connection to the monotheistic faith.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Haneefah over time

The chart below shows babies named Haneefah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Haneefah, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 11 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Haneefah
036811199720102024

Decades

Haneefah by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Haneefah 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 #4750 17 4
2010s #3647 52 8
2000s #3711 43 9
1990s #3511 7 2

Related

Names similar to Haneefah

FAQ

Haneefah: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Haneefah was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Haneefah most popular?

The peak year on record was 2010, with 11 babies registered as Haneefah in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Haneefah?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "truth seeker" or "following the true path".

How many people are called Haneefah in the UK?

A total of 119 babies have been registered as Haneefah across the 23 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.