NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Monifah

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "successful, prosperous, or victorious.".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 1997. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Monifah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Monifah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 1997 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3174, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 4 births.

This profile covers 4 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 1997 to 1997. 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.

Monifah is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 4 living people in the UK are called Monifah. 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 1998 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Monifah ranked #3174 for girls in England and Wales in 1997, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 4 girls were registered as Monifah.
  • About 4 living people in the UK are estimated to have Monifah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3174

1997

Births in 1997

4

Latest year

Peak year

1997

4 births

Estimated living

4

2026

Meaning

What does Monifah mean?

The name Monifah is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, with roots tracing back to the Middle Ages. Its origins can be linked to the Arabic word "mun'ifah," which translates to "chaste" or "virtuous." This name was likely given to newborn girls as a way of bestowing upon them the qualities of purity and moral uprightness.

During the medieval period, the name Monifah was primarily found in regions dominated by Islamic culture, such as the Middle East and parts of North Africa. It gained popularity among Muslim communities, who drew inspiration from the name's positive connotations.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Monifah can be found in historical documents from the 12th century, where it was mentioned as the name of a prominent scholar and poet from the city of Cordoba, in present-day Spain. This scholar, known as Monifah al-Qurtubiyya, was renowned for her contributions to Arabic literature and her expertise in the field of Islamic jurisprudence.

In the 13th century, the name Monifah gained further recognition when it was bestowed upon a celebrated female warrior from the Mamluk Sultanate, based in present-day Egypt. This warrior, known as Monifah bint Abi Bakr, was renowned for her bravery and military prowess, and her exploits were documented in various historical chronicles of the time.

Another notable figure bearing the name Monifah was a Persian poet and mystic who lived during the 14th century. Her full name was Monifah Khatun, and she was celebrated for her profound spiritual insights and her mastery of the Persian poetic tradition.

In the 16th century, the name Monifah was associated with a prominent Ottoman Turkish calligrapher and artist, Monifah Qadri. Her intricate calligraphic works were highly regarded and can still be found adorning the walls of mosques and palaces throughout the former Ottoman Empire.

Throughout history, the name Monifah has been carried by various individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, each leaving their mark in their respective fields. While the name may have originated in the Arabic language, it has transcended geographical boundaries and continues to be cherished for its beautiful meaning and rich historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Decades

Monifah by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Monifah 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
1990s #3174 4 1

Related

Names similar to Monifah

FAQ

Monifah: questions and answers

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

In 1997, Monifah was ranked #3174 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Monifah most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 4 babies registered as Monifah in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Monifah?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "successful, prosperous, or victorious.".

How many people are called Monifah in the UK?

A total of 4 babies have been registered as Monifah across the 1 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.