Rising since 1990, #3,975 for girls today.
Popularity of Safiyyah since 1976
Babies named Safiyyah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 33 |
| 1980s | 119 |
| 1990s | 116 |
| 2000s | 136 |
| 2010s | 205 |
| 2020s | 159 |
Meaning & origin
Safiyyah is a rare Arabic feminine name in the United States, with a first recorded appearance in 1976. Its popularity has been steadily rising, particularly since the 1990s, and it reached its peak rank of 3975 in 2025, the latest year of data. In that year, approximately 1 in 44,646 newborn girls received the name, showing its rarity. The name is most commonly used in Illinois, one of its top states. Safiyyah's Arabic roots and connection to Islamic history give it a sense of cultural depth, while its modern usage reflects a growing appreciation for distinctive, meaningful names among diverse families.
Safiyyah is a feminine form of the Arabic name Safi, meaning 'pure', 'clear', or 'chosen'. It is related to the root ṣ-f-w, which conveys purity and clarity. The name is borne in Islamic tradition by Safiyyah bint Huyayy, a wife of the Prophet Muhammad, which contributed to its historical usage among Muslims. Outside the Arabic-speaking world, it has been adopted by diverse communities, often spelled with variations like Safiya or Safiyya.
Where Safiyyah is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Safiyyah” around the world
Where Safiyyah 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: Safi, Fifi, Yaya
Sibling names for Safiyyah
Names that share Safiyyah's style, for a brother or sister.
