Nafisa Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: nah-FEE-sah /næˈfiːsə/
Origin: Arabic; Swahili
Meaning: Arabic: precious; Swahili: intelligent
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Nafisa has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "nafis," which means "precious" or "delicate." The term has been used in various forms across the Arabic-speaking world and has been adopted into other languages and cultures influenced by Arabic, particularly during the spread of Islam from the 7th century onwards. The name's etymology reflects a sense of value and rarity, which has contributed to its appeal in various societies.
Historically, Nafisa has been associated with notable figures in Islamic tradition. One prominent example is Nafisa bint al-Hasan, a revered figure in Islamic history who lived in the 8th century.
She was known for her piety and scholarship and is often regarded as a saintly figure, particularly in Sufi traditions. Her legacy has helped to solidify the name's significance within Islamic culture, as she is celebrated for her contributions to religious thought and community leadership.
The name Nafisa has also found resonance in various literary and cultural contexts, often symbolizing beauty, grace, and virtue. In many cultures, names carry deep meanings and are chosen to reflect the qualities parents wish to impart to their children.
Nafisa's connotations of preciousness and delicacy align with traditional values that emphasize the importance of character and moral integrity. The name may also have diminutive forms or variations in different cultures, but its core meaning remains consistent across languages, emphasizing its enduring appeal and significance.
Famous people named Nafisa
In this section, you will find notable people named Nafisa. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Nafisa who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Nafisa who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Nafisa Ali is an actress and politician best known for Junoon, Life in a... Metro, and the Miss India pageant.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Nafisa, 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 Nafisa. 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 Nafisa was first seen in the United States in 1979.
Nafisa has ranked as high as #7597 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in New York, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Nafisa has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Nafisa 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 Nafisa was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Nafisa.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 14 |
| 2024 | 32 | 32 |
| 2023 | 18 | 18 |
| 2022 | 27 | 27 |
| 2021 | 25 | 25 |
| 2020 | 28 | 28 |
| 2019 | 14 | 14 |
| 2018 | 19 | 19 |
| 2017 | 25 | 25 |
| 2016 | 16 | 16 |
| 2015 | 20 | 20 |
| 2014 | 10 | 10 |
| 2013 | 19 | 19 |
| 2012 | 7 | 7 |
| 2011 | 12 | 12 |
| 2010 | 12 | 12 |
| 2009 | 20 | 20 |
| 2008 | 25 | 25 |
| 2007 | 28 | 28 |
| 2006 | 19 | 19 |
| 2005 | 16 | 16 |
| 2004 | 26 | 26 |
| 2003 | 19 | 19 |
| 2002 | 17 | 17 |
| 2001 | 12 | 12 |
| 2000 | 17 | 17 |
| 1999 | 16 | 16 |
| 1998 | 16 | 16 |
| 1997 | 14 | 14 |
| 1996 | 12 | 12 |
| 1995 | 9 | 9 |
| 1994 | 9 | 9 |
| 1992 | 9 | 9 |
| 1991 | 5 | 5 |
| 1988 | 7 | 7 |
| 1987 | 8 | 8 |
| 1983 | 7 | 7 |
| 1982 | 9 | 9 |
| 1980 | 6 | 6 |
| 1979 | 7 | 7 |
Top States for Nafisa (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 9 | |
| TX | 7 |