NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Irfaan

Irfaan is an Arabic name meaning "wise" or "knowledgeable".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Irfaan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Irfaan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4812, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 7 births.

This profile covers 76 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 1997 to 2017. 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 75 living people in the UK are called Irfaan. 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 2018 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Irfaan ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2001, when 7 boys were registered as Irfaan.
  • About 75 living people in the UK are estimated to have Irfaan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4812

2017

Births in 2017

3

Latest year

Peak year

2001

7 births

Estimated living

75

2026

Meaning

What does Irfaan mean?

The name Irfaan has its roots in the Arabic language and is derived from the word 'irfan,' which means 'knowledge' or 'wisdom.' This name is prevalent in various Islamic cultures and regions where Arabic is spoken or has had a significant influence.

The earliest recorded usage of the name Irfaan can be traced back to the medieval period in the Middle East and North Africa. During this time, the name was often associated with scholars, philosophers, and individuals who pursued knowledge and intellectual pursuits.

One of the earliest notable individuals to bear the name Irfaan was Irfaan al-Mawsili, a renowned Arabic musician and composer who lived in the 8th century CE. He is credited with contributing significantly to the development of Arabic music theory and composition during the Abbasid Caliphate.

In the 11th century, Irfaan al-Sabah was a prominent Ismaili missionary and philosopher who played a crucial role in spreading Ismaili teachings throughout parts of modern-day Iran and Central Asia. His writings and teachings had a lasting impact on the intellectual and spiritual traditions of the region.

Another notable figure with the name Irfaan was Irfaan al-Saffar, a 12th-century Sufi scholar and mystic from present-day Iran. He was known for his contributions to the fields of Sufism and Islamic philosophy, and his works were widely studied and discussed among scholars of his time.

In the 13th century, Irfaan al-Hamdani was a renowned Arabic poet and writer from Yemen. His poetic works were celebrated for their eloquence and mastery of the Arabic language, and he is considered one of the most influential poets of the Ayyubid period.

During the 14th century, Irfaan al-Dimashqi was a notable Syrian scholar and historian who authored several works on the history and geography of the region. His writings provided valuable insights into the social, cultural, and political landscapes of the time.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Irfaan. The name's connection to knowledge, wisdom, and intellectual pursuits has made it a popular choice among scholars, philosophers, and those seeking to honor the pursuit of knowledge.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Irfaan over time

The chart below shows babies named Irfaan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Irfaan, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Irfaan
02457199720072017

Decades

Irfaan by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Irfaan 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 #3940 29 7
2000s #2943 40 9
1990s #2639 7 2

Related

Names similar to Irfaan

FAQ

Irfaan: questions and answers

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

In 2017, Irfaan was ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Irfaan most popular?

The peak year on record was 2001, with 7 babies registered as Irfaan in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Irfaan?

Irfaan is an Arabic name meaning "wise" or "knowledgeable".

How many people are called Irfaan in the UK?

A total of 76 babies have been registered as Irfaan across the 18 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.