Kashaf

Kashaf is a given name used among various Muslim communities, particularly in South Asia and the Middle East. It appears in Urdu- and Persian-influenced naming practices and is encountered in diaspora communities around the world. The name is used across genders in different contexts, with regional patterns varying by language and tradition.

The name derives from the Arabic root kashafa (كشف), meaning to uncover or reveal. The related noun kashf (كشف) denotes unveiling or disclosure. As a given name, Kashaf is commonly interpreted as conveying ideas of revelation, insight, or discovery.

In contemporary usage, Kashaf is most often found in Urdu-speaking populations, including Pakistan and India, and among communities with Persian or Arabic linguistic heritage. It is valued for its positive connotations of uncovering truth or gaining understanding, and it can be chosen for its aesthetic sound as well as its meaning.

Variants and related names include Kashif, a masculine form meaning “discoverer,” and Kashifa, a feminine form. Depending on language and transcription, the name may be rendered with slight spelling differences, but the underlying etymology remains tied to the concept of unveiling or discovery.