Jafar

♂ Boy

Pronounced JAH-far /ˈdʒɑ.fɑr/Medium

Meaning: From Arabic Ja'far, 'a stream, a small river, a rivulet'; a cousin of the Prophet bore itMedium

In 30 seconds: A flowing stream: Jafar is Arabic for 'a small river, a rivulet'. Strong, classic, and warm (the honored Ja'far ibn Abi Talib).

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Origin MediumArabic

MeaningFrom Arabic Ja'far, 'a stream, a small river, a rivulet'; a cousin of the Prophet bore it

U.S. rank (2025)#6961 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births12 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1994

Total births (all-time)≈ 671

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

Jafar comes from Arabic Ja'far, 'a stream, a small river, a rivulet'. Borne by Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, a revered cousin of the Prophet, it's a strong, classic name across the Muslim world.

In the U.S. it appears in Muslim families. Rare, a-small-river at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Jafar (Ja'far) means 'a stream, a small river' in Arabic — borne by Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, a beloved cousin of the Prophet; a strong, classic name (note the Aladdin villain, though the name itself is honorable).

Overall data confidence 78%

Arabic references — Ja'far — etymology

Variations

JaffarJa'farJafer

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Jafar…

Jamal— a companion Arabic name

Tariq— another classic Arabic name

Kareem— a fellow honored Arabic name

Umar— echoes that soft -ar sound

Amar— shares Jafar's Arabic roots

Explore names like Jafar

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Jafar mean?

Jafar is Arabic for 'a stream, a small river, a rivulet'.

How do you pronounce Jafar?

It's said JAH-far /ˈdʒɑ.fɑr/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Jafar a boy or girl name?

Jafar is a boy's name.

How popular is Jafar?

Jafar is a rare name in the U.S.