Rising since 2008, #7,194 for boys today.
Popularity of Sayf since 2003
Babies named Sayf per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Sayf's real moment was 2022.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 31 |
| 2010s | 65 |
| 2020s | 55 |
Meaning & origin
Sayf is an Arabic name meaning 'sword,' rooted in the long history of the Arab world. In the United States, it first appeared on the Social Security baby name list in 2003, and has shown a rising trajectory since 2008. By 2025, the name ranked 7,194th with a rate of about 1 in 155,280 boys. Its peak year so far was 2022. As a relatively recent addition to American naming pools, Sayf has not yet concentrated in any particular state. The name's strength and simplicity have contributed to its gradual increase in use, appealing to parents seeking a short, meaningful name with cultural depth. True to its origin, Sayf carries a sense of valor and is often chosen by families with Arabic heritage or those drawn to its concise, powerful sound.
Sayf derives from the Arabic root س ي ف (s-y-f), meaning 'sword.' It is a traditional masculine name in the Arab world, often found in compound names like Sayf al-Din ('Sword of the Faith'). The name has been used for centuries across Arabic-speaking regions and has gained some international visibility in recent decades.
“Sayf” around the world
Where Sayf lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Sayf
Names that share Sayf's style, for a brother or sister.
