UK boy's name
Jafer
A masculine Arabic name meaning "stream" or "small river".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Jafer is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Jafer popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4805, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2004 to 2012. 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 6 living people in the UK are called Jafer. 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 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Jafer ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 3 boys were registered as Jafer.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Jafer as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4805
2012
Births in 2012
3
Latest year
Peak year
2004
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Jafer mean?
The name Jafer is believed to have originated from the Arabic language. It is a variant spelling of the name Jafar, which has its roots in the Arabic word "jafr" meaning "stream" or "rivulet." The name may have been given to individuals living near a stream or body of water.
The name Jafer gained prominence in the 7th century CE during the early Islamic period. One of the most notable historical figures with this name was Jafar ibn Abi Talib, a cousin and companion of the Prophet Muhammad. He is revered in Islamic tradition for his bravery and devotion to the faith.
In the 8th century CE, Jafer al-Sadiq, a prominent Islamic scholar and theologian, carried this name. He was the sixth Imam in Shia Islam and is credited with establishing the foundations of Shia jurisprudence.
Another significant historical figure with the name Jafer was Jafer ibn Yahya al-Barmaki, a prominent member of the Barmakid family during the Abbasid Caliphate in the late 8th century CE. He served as a vizier and played a crucial role in the administration of the caliphate.
In the 12th century CE, Jafer al-Idrisi, a renowned Arab geographer and cartographer, made significant contributions to the field of mapmaking. His work, known as the Tabula Rogeriana, was a highly detailed map of the world at that time.
During the Ottoman Empire, Jafer Pasha, a notable military commander and statesman in the 16th century CE, held the position of Grand Vizier and played a pivotal role in the empire's expansion and administration.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Jafer. The name's Arabic origins and its association with prominent figures in Islamic history and literature have contributed to its enduring significance and use across various cultures and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Jafer over time
The chart below shows babies named Jafer registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2004 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Jafer, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Jafer by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Jafer 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 | #4805 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3651 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Jafer
- Jack 188,738
- Joshua 145,192
- James 141,878
- Joseph 102,259
- Jacob 93,754
- Jake 66,896
- Jamie 41,243
- Jordan 36,750
- Jayden 28,921
- Jude 24,156
- John 22,240
- Joe 19,164
FAQ
Jafer: questions and answers
How popular is the name Jafer in the UK right now?
In 2012, Jafer was ranked #4805 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Jafer most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 3 babies registered as Jafer in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Jafer?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "stream" or "small river".
How many people are called Jafer in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Jafer 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.