Naficy

Naficy is a surname of Iranian origin, appearing in transliterations of Persian names. In English-language sources it is sometimes rendered as Nafisi or Nafici, reflecting variations in transliteration from Persian sounds.

The most widely recognized bearer of the name in scholarly circles is Hamid Naficy, an Iranian-American academic and film theorist. He was a professor emeritus at Northwestern University, where his work focused on exile and diaspora cinema, and on the global circulation of Iranian film. Naficy is known for foundational writings in the field, including An Accented Cinema, which examines how displaced communities shape and are shaped by film and media. His scholarship has influenced studies of national cinemas, globalization, and transnational media practices.

The Naficy surname remains relatively uncommon and is most often found within Iranian and Iranian diaspora communities. As with many Persian-origin surnames, its spelling can vary, and some individuals with similar-sounding names may adopt different transliterations in English.

In summary, Naficy denotes a Persian-derived surname with notable academic association through Hamid Naficy, whose work on exile cinema and Iranian film has had a lasting impact on film studies and media theory. The name continues to appear in scholarly and cultural contexts related to Iranian studies and diaspora literature.