Declining since 1985, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Kashif since 1973
Babies named Kashif per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 56 |
| 1980s | 407 |
| 1990s | 212 |
| 2000s | 110 |
| 2010s | 83 |
| 2020s | 53 |
Meaning & origin
Kashif entered U.S. birth records in 1973, a late arrival for a name with deep Arabic roots. Its popularity crested in 1985, when it reached its highest rank, and has since declined. In the most recent data from 2025, Kashif ranked 12,008th nationally, reflecting a long downward trajectory as new naming trends emerged. Despite its rarity, the name carries a clear, appealing meaning of discovery and intellect, and retains strong cultural resonance in Arab and South Asian communities.
Kashif derives from the Arabic root kashafa (كشف), meaning 'to uncover' or 'to reveal.' It is a directly formed verbal noun or active participle used across the Arabic-speaking world. The name gained a modest presence in the United States starting in the 1970s, partly through Pakistani-American and Arab-American communities, and saw a peak in usage in 1985.
Sibling names for Kashif
Names that share Kashif's style, for a brother or sister.
