UK girl's name
Nafia
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "precious treasure" or "valuable gem".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Nafia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nafia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2016 to 2016. 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.
Nafia is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Nafia. 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 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Nafia ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 3 girls were registered as Nafia.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nafia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2016
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Nafia mean?
The name Nafia is believed to have originated from the Arabic language. It is derived from the root word "naf'a," which means "to benefit" or "to be useful." This suggests that the name Nafia carries a connotation of usefulness, helpfulness, or beneficence.
In Arabic culture, names often hold significant meanings and are chosen with great care. The name Nafia may have been bestowed upon individuals with the hope that they would lead a life of service and contribute positively to society.
While the exact origins of the name Nafia are difficult to trace, it is possible that it was used in ancient Arabic texts or historical records. However, no specific references to the name in significant historical works have been widely documented.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nafia can be found in the 11th century. Nafia bint al-Hasan al-Saghir, born in 1020 CE, was a renowned poet and scholar from Cordoba, Spain. She was highly regarded for her contributions to Arabic literature and her mastery of various disciplines, including poetry, grammar, and hadith (Islamic traditions).
In the 13th century, Nafia al-Dimashqiyya, born in 1223 CE, was a prominent Syrian scholar and calligrapher. She was renowned for her expertise in Arabic calligraphy and her contributions to the preservation of Islamic manuscripts.
Moving forward to the 19th century, Nafia Khanam, born in 1830 CE, was an influential Indian poet and writer from Lucknow. She was celebrated for her literary works, which often explored themes of love, spirituality, and social commentary.
In more recent times, Nafia Walker, born in 1974, is an American author and educator known for her contributions to children's literature. Her books, including "Mommy's Khimar" and "This is My Hijab," celebrate diversity and promote cultural understanding among young readers.
Another notable figure is Nafia Akram, born in 1978, a Pakistani actress and model who has appeared in numerous television dramas and films. She is recognized for her talent and her advocacy for women's rights and social causes.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Nafia. While the name may have originated from Arabic roots, it has been embraced by various cultures and communities, each imparting their own unique perspectives and meanings to this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Nafia by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nafia 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 | #5785 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Nafia
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nafia: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nafia in the UK right now?
In 2016, Nafia was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Nafia most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 3 babies registered as Nafia in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nafia?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "precious treasure" or "valuable gem".
How many people are called Nafia in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Nafia 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.