Khafi

Khafi is a term with multiple uses across languages and cultures. In Arabic, khafi (خفي) means "hidden" or "concealed" and is used as an adjective to describe things that are not immediately visible or obvious. The root letters are خ-ف-ي, and the word appears in religious, literary, and everyday contexts to convey concealment, inwardness, or subtlety.

As a given name, khafi is used in various Muslim communities and among members of the African diaspora. It is sometimes chosen for its associations with discretion, inner insight, or a sense of mystery. Transliterations vary, with forms such as khafī and other close spellings appearing in different linguistic communities. The use of the name reflects broader practices of selecting meanings tied to personality or spiritual qualities.

In contemporary public life, Khafi Kareem is a Nigerian-British media personality and former Big Brother Naija housemate who has helped popularize the name in popular culture. Her prominence illustrates how the term has entered modern naming and media landscapes beyond its traditional linguistic roots.

In religious and literary contexts, khafi is related to the broader concept of hidden or inward knowledge, which is often discussed alongside terms such as batin (hidden/inner) and zahir (apparent/outward) in Islamic thought. These ideas explore the relationship between outward appearances and inner reality.

See also: batin, zahir, Arabic adjectives for concealment.