UK boy's name
Shafiq
An Arabic masculine name meaning "merciful" and "compassionate".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2010. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Shafiq is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Shafiq popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2010 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4678, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 8 births.
This profile covers 55 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1996 to 2010. 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 54 living people in the UK are called Shafiq. 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 2011 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shafiq ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales in 2010, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2000, when 8 boys were registered as Shafiq.
- • About 54 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shafiq as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4678
2010
Births in 2010
3
Latest year
Peak year
2000
8 births
Estimated living
54
2026
Meaning
What does Shafiq mean?
The name Shafiq originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Middle East and Islamic culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "shafiq," which means "compassionate" or "kind." The name can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the early days of Islam.
Shafiq is a name that carries a positive connotation and reflects the virtues of empathy and benevolence. In Islamic tradition, the concept of being shafiq, or compassionate, is highly valued and encouraged. The name is mentioned in various Islamic texts and teachings, emphasizing the importance of showing kindness and mercy towards others.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shafiq can be found in the historical records of the Umayyad Caliphate, which ruled from the 7th to the 8th century CE. During this period, several prominent figures bore the name Shafiq, including scholars, poets, and military leaders.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Shafiq. One of the most famous was Shafiq al-Munayri (1286-1349 CE), a renowned Arab poet and scholar from Damascus. His poetic works were widely acclaimed and celebrated for their beauty and depth.
Another prominent figure was Shafiq Pasha (1838-1895 CE), an Ottoman statesman and prime minister of Egypt. He played a crucial role in the modernization efforts of Egypt during the 19th century and is remembered for his efforts to promote education and social reforms.
In more recent times, Shafiq Ur Rahman (1920-2001) was a prominent Pakistani writer and journalist. He was known for his contributions to Urdu literature and his advocacy for progressive social and political causes.
Shafiq Bin Qasim (1933-2011) was a renowned Bangladeshi filmmaker and writer. He is considered a pioneer of the Bangladeshi film industry and is widely respected for his contributions to the art of cinema.
Another notable figure was Shafiq Adekunle (1949-2012), a Nigerian politician and lawyer. He served as a member of the Nigerian Senate and was actively involved in various human rights and social welfare initiatives.
The name Shafiq has endured through centuries and continues to be widely used across the Middle East and in Muslim communities around the world. Its meaning and historical significance have made it a popular choice for parents seeking a name that reflects the virtues of compassion and kindness.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shafiq over time
The chart below shows babies named Shafiq registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2010. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shafiq, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2010, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shafiq by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shafiq 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 | #4678 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #2985 | 38 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2159 | 14 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Shafiq
- 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
Shafiq: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shafiq in the UK right now?
In 2010, Shafiq was ranked #4678 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shafiq most popular?
The peak year on record was 2000, with 8 babies registered as Shafiq in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shafiq?
An Arabic masculine name meaning "merciful" and "compassionate".
How many people are called Shafiq in the UK?
A total of 55 babies have been registered as Shafiq across the 12 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.