UK boy's name
Saifan
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "sword or sword-like".
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.
Saifan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Saifan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1951, with 12 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2019, with 21 births.
This profile covers 207 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 2006 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 57% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 206 living people in the UK are called Saifan. 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
- • Saifan ranked #1951 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 12 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2019, when 21 boys were registered as Saifan.
- • About 206 living people in the UK are estimated to have Saifan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1951
2024
Births in 2024
12
Latest year
Peak year
2019
21 births
Estimated living
206
2026
Meaning
What does Saifan mean?
The given name Saifan has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, with its roots dating back to the medieval period of the Islamic Golden Age in the Middle East and North Africa. The name is derived from the Arabic word "saif," which translates to "sword" or "blade," and the suffix "-an," which is a common ending in Arabic names.
Historically, the name Saifan likely held significance within the context of the warrior culture that prevailed during the medieval Islamic era. It may have been bestowed upon individuals who displayed bravery, strength, or prowess in battle, as the sword was a revered symbol of power and courage in that time.
While there are no definitive records of the name appearing in ancient texts or religious scriptures, some historical accounts suggest that Saifan was a relatively uncommon name during the early centuries of the Islamic era. However, as the Islamic empires expanded and cultural influence spread across regions, the name gained popularity among various ethnic groups and communities within the Islamic world.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Saifan can be traced back to the 12th century CE, when a prominent scholar and philosopher, Saifan al-Andalusi, flourished in the Iberian Peninsula. Born in Seville, Spain, in 1135, al-Andalusi made significant contributions to the fields of logic, metaphysics, and natural philosophy.
Another notable figure bearing the name Saifan was Saifan al-Ghuri, a Mamluk sultan who ruled over Egypt and Syria from 1501 to 1516. Al-Ghuri played a pivotal role in defending the Mamluk Sultanate against the expanding Ottoman Empire and was known for his military campaigns and strategic alliances.
In the 18th century, Saifan ibn Uthman al-Bahrani was a prominent scholar and jurist from Bahrain. Born in 1718, al-Bahrani authored numerous works on Islamic jurisprudence and theology, and his contributions significantly influenced the intellectual discourse of his time.
The name Saifan also found its way into the literary realm, with Saifan al-Baghdadi, an Arabic poet and writer from Baghdad, Iraq, who lived during the late 9th century CE. Al-Baghdadi's poetic works were widely celebrated and considered influential in the development of Arabic literature.
Another historical figure bearing the name Saifan was Saifan al-Azdi, a military commander and governor who served under the Abbasid Caliphate in the 9th century CE. Al-Azdi played a crucial role in the expansion and administration of the Abbasid Empire, particularly in the regions of Khurasan and Transoxiana.
While the name Saifan may not have been as widespread as some other Arabic names, it has left a lasting imprint on various cultural and historical contexts throughout the centuries, reflecting the rich diversity and heritage of the Arabic-speaking world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Saifan over time
The chart below shows babies named Saifan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 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 Saifan, the clearest high point is 2019. The latest England and Wales figure is 12 births in 2024, compared with 21 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Saifan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Saifan 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 | #2067 | 55 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1780 | 134 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2848 | 18 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Saifan
- Samuel 108,505
- Sebastian 33,008
- Sam 20,889
- Stanley 16,354
- Sonny 15,028
- Sean 15,006
- Scott 12,587
- Seth 9,841
- Syed 9,050
- Stephen 8,884
- Spencer 8,333
- Steven 6,970
FAQ
Saifan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Saifan in the UK right now?
In 2024, Saifan was ranked #1951 for boys in England and Wales, with 12 births registered.
When was Saifan most popular?
The peak year on record was 2019, with 21 babies registered as Saifan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Saifan?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "sword or sword-like".
How many people are called Saifan in the UK?
A total of 207 babies have been registered as Saifan 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.