Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Safa
GirlArabic· “purity, clarity”
- Meaning
- purity, clarity
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- SAH-fuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,007
- US babies 2025
- 249
- Best rank
- #1,007 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Safa
Safa is an Arabic name that means “purity, clarity”.
Safa is an Arabic name meaning purity or clarity. It is also the name of one of the two hills in Mecca, Safa and Marwa, between which pilgrims walk during the Hajj and Umrah, retracing the steps of Hagar searching for water. This connection gives the name special significance in the Muslim world. Safa is short, soft and easy to pronounce, with stress on the first or second syllable depending on the region. It has a gentle, graceful character and a clear, positive meaning.
Popularity over time
Safa first appears in US Social Security records in 1978. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #1,007, and its highest count, 249 babies. Use has grown 139% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #2,971 in 2000, #2,687 in 2010, and #1,007 in 2025. Of the 2,939 US girls named Safa since records began, 34% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 984 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Adara, Meera, Serafina, Eleni, and Khadija.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Safa ranked highest in Minnesota, New York, and Maryland.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | #183 | 30 |
| New York | #515 | 33 |
| Maryland | #542 | 10 |
| Michigan | #632 | 13 |
| New Jersey | #659 | 12 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Safa is usually pronounced SAH-fuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with S and ends in “-fa”.
Middle names for Safa
A few middle names that flow with Safa: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Safa
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Lists that include Safa
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Safa mean?
Safa is an Arabic name that means “purity, clarity”.
What is the origin of the name Safa?
Safa has Arabic roots. Safa is an Arabic name meaning purity or clarity.
Is Safa a popular name?
Not especially. Safa ranked #1,007 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Safa a boy or girl name?
Safa is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Safa?
Safa is usually pronounced SAH-fuh. 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