UK boy's name
Shafin
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "intercessor" or "helper".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2018. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shafin is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shafin popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2018 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4749, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 5 births.
This profile covers 32 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 2008 to 2018. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 32 living people in the UK are called Shafin. 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 2019 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shafin ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales in 2018, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 5 boys were registered as Shafin.
- • About 32 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shafin as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4749
2018
Births in 2018
3
Latest year
Peak year
2013
5 births
Estimated living
32
2026
Meaning
What does Shafin mean?
The name Shafin has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "shafin," which means "healing" or "curing." The name is believed to have originated in the Middle East during the medieval period, around the 7th to 13th centuries CE.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shafin can be found in the writings of renowned Arabic scholars and poets from that era. It was often used as a descriptive term or a honorific title for individuals who possessed exceptional healing abilities or worked as physicians or healers.
In the Islamic tradition, the name Shafin holds a significant meaning as it resonates with the concept of seeking divine healing and guidance. It is mentioned in several Islamic texts and hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), where it is associated with seeking refuge in Allah for physical and spiritual well-being.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shafin. One of the earliest recorded individuals was Shafin al-Andalusi (born in 1165 CE), a renowned Arabic poet and scholar from the Andalusian region of Spain. His poetic works are celebrated for their profound wisdom and eloquence.
Another prominent figure with the name Shafin was Shafin al-Din al-Shirazi (1236-1311 CE), a Persian polymath and philosopher. He made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and metaphysics, and his writings influenced the intellectual discourse of his time.
In the realm of medicine, Shafin al-Tabrizi (1281-1349 CE) was a distinguished Persian physician and scholar. He authored several treatises on medicine and is recognized for his innovative approaches to treating various ailments.
During the Ottoman Empire, Shafin Pasha (1550-1615 CE) was a prominent military commander and statesman. He played a crucial role in the expansion of the Ottoman territories and is renowned for his strategic prowess on the battlefield.
In more recent times, Shafin Ahmed (1930-2001) was a prominent Bangladeshi poet and novelist. His works, which often explored themes of spirituality and human emotions, earned him widespread acclaim and several literary awards.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Shafin. The name's profound meaning and historical significance have contributed to its enduring presence across various cultures and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shafin over time
The chart below shows babies named Shafin registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2008 to 2018. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shafin, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2018, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shafin by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shafin 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 | #4326 | 25 | 7 |
| 2000s | #4107 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Shafin
- 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
Shafin: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shafin in the UK right now?
In 2018, Shafin was ranked #4749 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shafin most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 5 babies registered as Shafin in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shafin?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "intercessor" or "helper".
How many people are called Shafin in the UK?
A total of 32 babies have been registered as Shafin across the 9 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.