Nafiyyah

Nafiyyah is an Arabic female given name meaning “soft”, “gentle” or “calm”. The name derives from the root ن ف ي, which is associated with softness and a liquid, gentle quality in classical Arabic. In modern usage the name is found primarily in Arabic‑speaking countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, and it is often chosen for its poetic and tranquil connotation.

The name appears in several classical poetry collections where the poet is praised for the gentle elegance of her speech, and it has occasionally been applied as a name for fictional characters in contemporary Arab novels that emphasize serene or peaceful traits. In addition to being a personal name, Nafiyyah has at times been used as an epithet for certain Islamic scholars’ peaceful teaching style, though it is not used as a surname.

Nafiyyah also appears in the transliteration of the Arabic word “نفِّيّة” (nafiyah) used in semi‑technical contexts to denote a feeling of serenity in certain philosophical texts. In historical documents from the Ottoman period, the surname Nafiyye was sometimes used by families originating from the Anatolian town of Nefezgut, highlighting a regional variation of the name.

In contemporary settings, the name remains moderately common but is not among the most popular choices for new-borns in most Arab nations. The gender-specific usage of Nafiyyah as a female name aligns with the broader pattern of Arabic female names ending in an “‑yah” sound, which often conveys softness or delicacy.

Overall, Nafiyyah is categorized among Arabic names that emphasize gentleness, forming part of the tradition of naming that associates personal identity with desired virtues.