NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Zafira

An Arabic feminine name derived from the words "zafir" and "zafran", meaning "victorious" and "crocus".

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.

Zafira is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Zafira popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 6 births.

This profile covers 30 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2000 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 30 living people in the UK are called Zafira. 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

  • Zafira ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2014, when 6 girls were registered as Zafira.
  • About 30 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zafira as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

2014

6 births

Estimated living

30

2026

Meaning

What does Zafira mean?

The name Zafira has its origins in the Arabic language, where it is derived from the word "zafir," meaning "victorious" or "triumphant." It is believed to have emerged as a given name during the medieval period in regions where Arabic culture and language had a significant influence, such as the Middle East and parts of North Africa.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Zafira can be found in Islamic literature and historical accounts from the 7th century AD onwards. It was a name bestowed upon individuals who were celebrated for their victories or triumphs, whether in battle, intellectual pursuits, or other significant endeavors.

In the 10th century, a notable figure named Zafira bint Al-Muhtadi was a renowned poet and scholar from the Abbasid Caliphate in present-day Iraq. Her literary works and contributions to the arts and sciences of her time earned her widespread recognition and acclaim.

Another prominent individual with the name Zafira was Zafira bint Umar al-Ghafiqiyya, a 12th-century Muslim scholar and jurist from present-day Tunisia. She was renowned for her expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and her contributions to the advancement of legal studies during her era.

In the 13th century, Zafira al-Isfahani was a celebrated calligrapher and artist from Isfahan, Persia (modern-day Iran). Her intricate calligraphic works and illuminated manuscripts were highly esteemed and are considered masterpieces of Islamic art.

Zafira bint Yahya al-Baghdadi, born in the late 13th century in Baghdad, was a renowned female scholar and theologian. She was highly respected for her knowledge of Islamic theology and her teachings, which attracted students from across the region.

Throughout history, the name Zafira has carried connotations of strength, triumph, and intellectual prowess, reflecting the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Arabic world. Its enduring presence serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of names that have transcended time and geography.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Zafira over time

The chart below shows babies named Zafira registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 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 Zafira, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Zafira
02356200020122024

Decades

Zafira by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zafira 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 #5780 6 2
2010s #3894 21 4
2000s #3912 3 1

Related

Names similar to Zafira

FAQ

Zafira: questions and answers

How popular is the name Zafira in the UK right now?

In 2024, Zafira was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Zafira most popular?

The peak year on record was 2014, with 6 babies registered as Zafira in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Zafira?

An Arabic feminine name derived from the words "zafir" and "zafran", meaning "victorious" and "crocus".

How many people are called Zafira in the UK?

A total of 30 babies have been registered as Zafira across the 7 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.