UK boy's name
Zarif
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "elegant" or "cultured".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Zarif is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Zarif popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2325, with 9 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 9 births.
This profile covers 85 England and Wales registrations across 17 recorded years from 2002 to 2023. 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 84 living people in the UK are called Zarif. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Zarif ranked #2325 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 9 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 9 boys were registered as Zarif.
- • About 84 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zarif as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2325
2023
Births in 2023
9
Latest year
Peak year
2011
9 births
Estimated living
84
2026
Meaning
What does Zarif mean?
The name Zarif is of Persian origin, derived from the Arabic word "zarif" meaning "graceful," "elegant," or "refined." It dates back to ancient times and was commonly used in the Middle East region, particularly in Iran and surrounding areas.
Zarif was a popular name among the Persian nobility and aristocracy, often given to those who embodied the qualities of sophistication and refinement. The name's roots can be traced back to ancient Persian literature and poetry, where it was frequently used to describe individuals of exceptional beauty and grace.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Zarif can be found in the epic Persian poem "Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) written by the renowned poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. In this literary masterpiece, Zarif is mentioned as the name of a character renowned for his elegance and wisdom.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Zarif. One such individual was Zarif al-Din al-Yazdi (1349-1442), a Persian astronomer and mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of astronomy during the Islamic Golden Age.
Another prominent figure was Zarif Khan (1573-1624), a Persian military commander and statesman who served under the Safavid dynasty. He played a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of the Safavid Empire during the reign of Shah Abbas I.
In the realm of literature, Zarif Beg Sultanli (1784-1838) was a prominent Azerbaijani poet and writer known for his contributions to the development of Azerbaijani literature. His works were celebrated for their elegant style and poetic mastery.
Moving forward in time, Zarif Muzaffar oglu Khalilov (1901-1960) was a renowned Azerbaijani composer and conductor who made significant contributions to the development of Azerbaijani classical music. His compositions were widely acclaimed for their melodic beauty and artistic expression.
Lastly, Javad Zarif (born 1960) is a contemporary Iranian diplomat and politician who has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran since 2013. He has played a pivotal role in shaping Iran's foreign policy and international relations, particularly in the context of the Iranian nuclear deal.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Zarif throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of the regions they hailed from.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Zarif over time
The chart below shows babies named Zarif registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Zarif, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 9 births in 2023, compared with 9 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Zarif by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zarif 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 | #3938 | 19 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3401 | 48 | 9 |
| 2000s | #3204 | 18 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Zarif
- Zachary 29,362
- Zak 9,988
- Zain 7,620
- Zac 7,272
- Zack 7,101
- Zakariya 5,447
- Zach 4,754
- Zayn 4,326
- Zachariah 3,234
- Zion 3,141
- Zane 2,818
- Zayd 2,609
FAQ
Zarif: questions and answers
How popular is the name Zarif in the UK right now?
In 2023, Zarif was ranked #2325 for boys in England and Wales, with 9 births registered.
When was Zarif most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 9 babies registered as Zarif in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Zarif?
A masculine name of Persian origin meaning "elegant" or "cultured".
How many people are called Zarif in the UK?
A total of 85 babies have been registered as Zarif across the 17 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.