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Hafsah

♀ Girl

Pronounced HAHF-sah /ˈhɑf.sɑ/High

Meaning: Young lioness, or a gatherer; the name of Hafsah bint Umar, wife of the Prophet Muhammad and keeper of the first written QuranMedium

In 30 seconds: A lioness who guarded the Quran: Hafsah — Arabic for a young lioness — was the Prophet's wife, the learned woman entrusted with the first complete written copy of the Quran. Strength and scholarship in one name.

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Origin HighArabic

MeaningYoung lioness, or a gatherer; the name of Hafsah bint Umar, wife of the Prophet Muhammad and keeper of the first written Quran

U.S. rank (2025)#4693 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births29 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 665

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Hafsah, often glossed 'young lioness', was the name of Hafsah bint Umar, daughter of the second caliph and wife of the Prophet Muhammad — a literate, strong-willed woman to whom the first written compilation of the Quran was entrusted. The name has been honored in Muslim families ever since.

In the U.S. it appears in Arab and South Asian Muslim families, the -ah spelling closest to the Arabic. Rare, leonine, and learned.

Did you know? After the Quran was first compiled, the master copy was kept in Hafsah's care — a woman literally entrusted with the safekeeping of Islam's holiest text.

Overall data confidence 85%

Behind the Name — Hafsa — etymology

Variations

HafsaHafzaHafsah

Nicknames

Hafsy

Famous Bearers

★Hafsah Faizal
American author of young-adult fantasy novels including We Hunt the Flame

If you like Hafsah…

Aisha— a fellow wife of the Prophet, beloved as a name

Khadija— the Prophet's first wife, another classic

Zainab— a companion name from the Prophet's household

Laylah— a fellow Arabic choice

Lailah— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Hafsah

By themearabic islamic historical

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Hafsah mean?

Hafsah is Arabic for 'young lioness' — the name of Hafsah bint Umar, wife of the Prophet and keeper of the first written Quran.

How do you pronounce Hafsah?

It's said HAHF-sah /ˈhɑf.sɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Hafsah a boy or girl name?

Hafsah is a girl's name.

How popular is Hafsah?

Hafsah is a rare name in the U.S. and classic across the Muslim world.