Latifah Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: lah-TEE-fah /lɑːˈtiːfə/
Origin: Arabic; Swahili
Meaning: Arabic: 'the kind' or 'the gentle'; Swahili: 'successful'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Latifah is of Arabic origin, derived from the root word 'l-t-f', which means 'gentle', 'kind', or 'delicate'. The name has been transliterated into various forms, including 'Latifa' in Arabic, and it has made its way into English through cultural exchanges and the influence of Arabic-speaking populations.
The name is often associated with positive qualities, reflecting a gentle and kind demeanor, which has contributed to its appeal across different cultures. Historically, the name Latifah has been borne by notable figures in Islamic history and literature.
While specific historical milestones may be less documented compared to more widely recognized names, the name has been used in various contexts throughout the centuries, particularly in the Arab world. The spread of Islam from the 7th century onwards facilitated the adoption of Arabic names across diverse regions, including North Africa and parts of Europe.
The name Latifah has also appeared in literary works and poetry, where it is often used to evoke themes of beauty and grace. Culturally, Latifah carries significant resonance within Islamic traditions, where names are often chosen for their meanings and the virtues they represent.
The name is sometimes associated with the concept of 'latifah' in Sufism, referring to a subtle or gentle aspect of the divine. This spiritual connection has helped to sustain the name's use over generations.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as 'Lati' may be used affectionately, reflecting the name's gentle connotations. Overall, Latifah embodies a rich linguistic and cultural heritage that highlights the values of kindness and gentleness.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Latifah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Latifah. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Latifah was first seen in the United States in 1974.
Latifah has ranked as high as #931 nationally, which occurred in 1990, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Latifah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Latifah is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Latifah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Latifah (1996)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| PA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Latifah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2001 | 17 |
| 2000 | 24 |
| 1999 | 18 |
| 1998 | 14 |
| 1997 | 15 |
| 1996 | 18 |
| 1995 | 34 |
| 1994 | 74 |
| 1993 | 73 |
| 1992 | 251 |
| 1991 | 150 |
| 1990 | 300 |
| 1989 | 93 |
| 1988 | 8 |
| 1987 | 13 |
| 1986 | 19 |
| 1985 | 14 |
| 1984 | 13 |
| 1983 | 19 |
| 1982 | 16 |
| 1981 | 20 |
| 1980 | 26 |
| 1979 | 24 |
| 1978 | 28 |
| 1977 | 25 |
| 1976 | 11 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1974 | 7 |