Rising since 1987, #5,099 for girls today.
Popularity of Afia since 1972
Babies named Afia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 48 |
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 66 |
| 2000s | 166 |
| 2010s | 179 |
| 2020s | 136 |
Meaning & origin
Afia is a name with dual cultural roots. In Arabic, it derives from 'afiyah, meaning health and well-being, a virtue name that resonates across Muslim communities. In Ghana and parts of West Africa, Afia (or its variant Afua) is a traditional Akan day name for a girl born on Friday, linked to the day's spiritual significance. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1972 and has been on a slow but steady rise since 1987, peaking in popularity in 2024. It has never ranked in the top 1,000 names, but its rarity remains steady. Afia has not been recorded in the top states, indicating broad but sparse usage. As a name that bridges Arabic and Akan traditions, it carries a sense of health and cultural heritage.
Afia has two main origins. In Arabic, it comes from 'afiyah, meaning health and well-being. In Akan (Ghana), Afia is a female name given to a girl born on a Friday, similar to the Twi name Afua. The name has been used in Ghana and among African diaspora communities. Its use in the United States has grown modestly since the early 1970s.
“Afia” around the world
Where Afia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Fia, Fee
Variants: Afua, Afyah, Afiyyah
Sibling names for Afia
Names that share Afia's style, for a brother or sister.
