Rising since 2012, #5,554 for girls today.
Popularity of Sadaf since 1976
Babies named Sadaf per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 28 |
| 1980s | 132 |
| 1990s | 170 |
| 2000s | 126 |
| 2010s | 96 |
| 2020s | 110 |
Meaning & origin
The name Sadaf entered U.S. records in 1976 and has seen a notable rise, particularly since 2012. It peaked in 2024 at rank 5,554, with 2025 data showing a 1-in-73,058 birth rate. Historically concentrated in families with Persian heritage, the name's appeal lies in its poetic imagery of an oyster shell nurturing a pearl, reflecting inner beauty and resilience. While its top states are not specified, its growing trajectory suggests increasing awareness beyond diaspora communities.
Sadaf is a Persian name derived from the word for oyster shell or mother-of-pearl (صدف). In Persian poetry and literature, the shell's ability to transform a grain of sand into a pearl has made it a metaphor for patience, inner beauty, and hidden worth. The name is used across Persian-influenced regions, including Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and parts of the Indian subcontinent.
“Sadaf” around the world
Where Sadaf 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: Sada, Daffy
Sibling names for Sadaf
Names that share Sadaf's style, for a brother or sister.
