UK girl's name
Sulaf
A feminine Arabic name meaning "vanguard" or "front ranks".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sulaf is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sulaf popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5876, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2010 to 2012. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Sulaf. 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 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sulaf ranked #5876 for girls in England and Wales in 2012, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 3 girls were registered as Sulaf.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sulaf as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5876
2012
Births in 2012
3
Latest year
Peak year
2010
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Sulaf mean?
The given name Sulaf has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Arabic word "sulafa," which means "sincere" or "virtuous." The name carries a connotation of purity, integrity, and moral uprightness.
In the early Islamic era, the name Sulaf was often associated with the concept of "al-salaf al-salih," referring to the pious predecessors or the righteous early generations of Muslims. This term held great significance in Islamic theology and served as a model for subsequent generations to emulate.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sulaf can be found in the writings of renowned Islamic scholars and historians from the 8th and 9th centuries. These works often mentioned individuals bearing this name, indicating its use during that time period.
Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the name Sulaf. One prominent example is Sulaf al-Zahrani (born in 1954), a Saudi Arabian writer and journalist known for her contributions to women's literature and advocacy for social reforms in her country.
Another historical figure worth mentioning is Sulaf al-Azmeh (1923-2000), a Syrian poet and essayist who played a significant role in the Arab literary renaissance of the 20th century. Her works explored themes of love, identity, and the human condition.
In the realm of Islamic scholarship, Sulaf al-Qahtani (1951-2018) was a renowned Saudi Arabian scholar and author. She dedicated her life to the study of Islamic jurisprudence and authored numerous books on various aspects of Islamic law and theology.
Moving to the field of medicine, Sulaf Haider (born in 1954) is a distinguished Pakistani-American physician and researcher. She has made significant contributions to the study of infectious diseases and has held leadership positions in various medical organizations.
Another notable figure is Sulaf Fawakherji (born in 1945), a Saudi Arabian artist and calligrapher. Her works have been exhibited internationally, and she is widely recognized for her innovative approaches to Arabic calligraphy, blending traditional and contemporary styles.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Sulaf throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the richness of their cultures and societies.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sulaf over time
The chart below shows babies named Sulaf registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2010 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sulaf, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2012, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sulaf by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sulaf 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 | #5792 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Sulaf
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Sulaf: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sulaf in the UK right now?
In 2012, Sulaf was ranked #5876 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sulaf most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 3 babies registered as Sulaf in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sulaf?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "vanguard" or "front ranks".
How many people are called Sulaf in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Sulaf across the 2 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.