Rising since 2003, #6,803 for boys today.
Popularity of Arafat since 1970
Babies named Arafat per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2011, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Arafat's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 7 |
| 2000s | 20 |
| 2010s | 82 |
| 2020s | 67 |
Meaning & origin
Arafat is a name deeply rooted in Islamic tradition, referencing the sacred Mount Arafat near Mecca. In the United States, since first recorded in 1970, it has steadily gained traction, particularly rising since 2003. Its peak year so far is 2025, where it ranked 6803 and occurred at a rate of 1 in 142,340 boys. The name saw limited early adoption but has experienced a gradual upward trajectory, reflecting broader patterns of naming diversity. While top states are not listed in available data, Arafat remains a distinctive choice, primarily within Muslim communities. Its meaning, tied to a cornerstone of the Hajj pilgrimage, gives it a strong spiritual resonance, though the association with longtime Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat may color perceptions in some contexts.
Arafat is the Arabic name of a granite hill east of Mecca, central to the Hajj pilgrimage. The name derives from the Arabic root عرف (ʿ-r-f), meaning "to know" or "recognize," giving it a connotation of knowledge or mercy. Used as a given name, it is most common among Muslims, honoring the sacred site and its spiritual significance. The name has been adopted across the Arabic-speaking world and beyond, though it remains far less common in English-speaking countries, where the association with Yasser Arafat may influence perception.
Sibling names for Arafat
Names that share Arafat's style, for a brother or sister.
