Safa

♀ Girl

Pronounced SAH-fah /ˈsɑː.fɑː/High

Meaning: Pure, clear, serene; from Arabic safa (purity, clarity, serenity)High

In 30 seconds: An Arabic name meaning 'pure,' 'clear,' or 'serene.' Safa is also the name of a sacred hill in Mecca — one of the two hills (Safa and Marwa) between which pilgrims walk during the Hajj, commemorating Hagar's search for water.

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Origin HighArabic

MeaningPure, clear, serene; from Arabic safa (purity, clarity, serenity)

U.S. rank (2024)#1140 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births212 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 2,689

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

Safa derives from Arabic safa (purity, clarity, serenity). In Islamic tradition, Al-Safa is one of the two sacred hills in Mecca between which pilgrims perform the ritual of Sa'i during Hajj, commemorating the biblical/Quranic figure of Hagar.

Safa is used across Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities worldwide. In the U.S. it ranked #1140 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? The ritual of Sa'i — running seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa during Hajj — commemorates Hagar's desperate search for water for her son Ishmael. Both hills and the ritual are central to Islamic pilgrimage, making Safa a name with profound religious geography.

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Safa — Arabic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

SafaaSafah

Nicknames

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If you like Safa…

Sara— Arabic/Hebrew short name with the same pure, serene quality

Noor— Arabic name meaning light, widely used in the same communities

Amira— Arabic name meaning princess, in the same Islamic naming tradition

Layla— popular Arabic name sharing the same two-syllable elegance

Zara— short Arabic-origin name with the same crisp beauty

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Safa mean?

Safa means 'pure,' 'clear,' or 'serene' in Arabic. It is also the name of a sacred hill in Mecca where pilgrims walk during Hajj.

How do you pronounce Safa?

It's said SAH-fah — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Safa a boy or girl name?

Safa is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Safa?

Safa ranked #1140 for U.S. girls in 2024.