Kafi

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAH-fee /ˈkɑː.fi/Medium

Meaning: Kafi is an African name best known in Akan (Ghanaian) tradition as a girl's name. The same short, warm sound appears in Swahili and Arabic contexts as well (in Arabic kafi carries the sense of 'sufficient'). For American families it reads as a heritage name of African roots; the precise source varies, so we note the Akan use as primary and keep the others honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: Kafi is an African girl's name, known in Akan (Ghanaian) tradition, its warm sound also found in Swahili and Arabic use (said KAH-fee).

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Origin LowAfrican, Akan

MeaningKafi is an African name best known in Akan (Ghanaian) tradition as a girl's name. The same short, warm sound appears in Swahili and Arabic contexts as well (in Arabic kafi carries the sense of 'sufficient'). For American families it reads as a heritage name of African roots; the precise source varies, so we note the Akan use as primary and keep the others honestly.

U.S. rank (1979)#9477 ↘ Falling

1979 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1972

Total births (all-time)≈ 106

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

Kafi is an African girl's name, carried chiefly in Akan (Ghanaian) tradition, where names frequently record something of a child's birth. The same brief, warm sound turns up in Swahili and Arabic contexts too, so the exact source can vary from family to family. In the United States it appears as a heritage name reaching back to West Africa.

It was never common, given to only a couple dozen girls a year around the early 1970s, a time of rising interest in African heritage names, and rare after. A woman named Kafi from then is now in her fifties.

Did you know? Kafi belongs to the Akan naming world of Ghana, where names often mark the day, order, or circumstances of a child's birth.

Overall data confidence 40%

References - Kafi — African (Akan/Ghanaian) girl's name; sound also in Swahili/Arabic

Variations

KafeeKaffiKhafi

Nicknames

KafFifi

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kafi…

Nia— a similar heritage girls' name

Ama— a fellow Akan girls' name

Zuri— another warm African pick

Kya— shares Kafi's African roots

Khari— lands in the same popularity range

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By themeheritage uncommon african akan

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kafi mean?

It is an African girl's name, known in Akan (Ghanaian) tradition; the same sound also appears in Swahili and Arabic use.

How do you pronounce Kafi?

It's said KAH-fee /ˈkɑː.fi/, two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kafi a boy or girl name?

Kafi is used as a girl's name.

Is Kafi a popular name?

No, it has always been rare in the United States, an African heritage name.