Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Hafsa
GirlArabic· “young lioness”
- Meaning
- young lioness
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- HAHF-suh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,452
- US babies 2025
- 148
- Best rank
- #1,452 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Hafsa
Hafsa is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “young lioness”.
Often said to mean young lioness, Hafsa is an Arabic name that carries deep historical weight in Islam. Hafsa bint Umar was one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad and the daughter of Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second caliph. She is remembered for keeping a written copy of the Quran that was later used in compiling the standard text. Because of her, the name has been used for centuries across the Muslim world, from North Africa to South Asia. It is short, strong and easy to pronounce in English, usually HAHF-suh, and it offers a traditional choice with a clear heritage.
Popularity over time
Hafsa first appears in US Social Security records in 1981. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,452 in 2025, and the most babies received it in 2023, when 151 were named Hafsa. In 2025, 148 babies were named Hafsa, and it ranked #1,452 nationally. That is 45% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,451 in 2000, #2,126 in 2010, and #1,452 in 2025. Of the 2,594 US girls named Hafsa since records began, 40% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 794 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Shoshana, Valkyrie, Mirabel, Aysha, and Wednesday.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Hafsa ranked highest in New York, Minnesota, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #595 | 28 |
| Minnesota | #773 | 6 |
| New Jersey | #798 | 9 |
| Virginia | #880 | 8 |
| Washington | #1117 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Hafsa is usually pronounced HAHF-suh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with H and ends in “-sa”.
Middle names for Hafsa
A few middle names that flow with Hafsa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Hafsa
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Lists that include Hafsa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Hafsa mean?
Hafsa is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “young lioness”.
What is the origin of the name Hafsa?
Hafsa has Arabic roots. Often said to mean young lioness, Hafsa is an Arabic name that carries deep historical weight in Islam.
Is Hafsa a popular name?
Not especially. Hafsa ranked #1,452 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Hafsa a boy or girl name?
Hafsa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Hafsa?
Hafsa is usually pronounced HAHF-suh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings