Safiya
How to say it: sah-FEE-yuh · /sɑˈfijə/
Arabic 'pure, clear, best friend' - historic name of Prophet Muhammad's wife.
Safiya was the 833rd most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 168 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up about 76% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #680 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #833 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 168 |
| Share of births | 1 in 11,882 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | +76% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #680 |
| In France, 2025 | #130 among girls’ names, 315 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
New to wide use, with most history packed into the last forty years. The 2020s serve as its highest mark, with more climb expected ahead.
What goes with it
Clear and breathy in three syllables, it sounds gentle and carries easily. Aisha complements it well.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Safiya is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Arabic, English, French, Hindi.
In France: #130 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #458.
Famous people named Safiya
- Safiya Zaghloul (1876–1946)Egyptian activist and leader
- Safiya Wazir (born 1991)Community activist - first Afghan refugee to be elected as a state representative in New Hampshire, United States.
- Safiya Hussaini (1967–2024)Nigerian woman accused of adultery
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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