Irfan
Meaningknowledge, gratitude · Arabic
Irfan is an Indian boy name meaning “knowledge, gratitude”, with Arabic roots. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationIrfan peaked in 1981, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Irfan you'd meet today is about 44 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Irfans too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Irfan would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 58,824 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryIrfan first shows up in US birth records in 1969, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 56 years since.
US births per million boys, 1969–2025
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Irfan
Irfan is a boy name of Indian origin meaning “knowledge, gratitude”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the consonant at the end gives it a confident finish. It hit its peak in the 1980s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian boy names
- Unisex name: Makai · toward the sea
- Boy name: Arjun · bright, shining
- Boy name: Zain · beauty, grace
- Unisex name: Idris · possibly studious
- Boy name: Aarav · peaceful, calm
- Unisex name: Rohan · ascending
- Unisex name: Aryan · noble
- Boy name: Ishaan · lord, ruler
Questions about the name Irfan
What does the name Irfan mean?
Irfan means “knowledge, gratitude” and comes from Arabic. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Veda (“knowledge”), Ved (“knowledge”), Gyan (“knowledge”) and Lwazi (“knowledge”).
What is the origin of the name Irfan?
Irfan is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Arabic. Other Indian names to consider are Makai (“toward the sea”), Arjun (“bright, shining”), Zain (“beauty, grace”) and Idris (“possibly studious”).
Is Irfan a boy or girl name?
Irfan is a boy name. In 2025, 29 US boys were named Irfan.
How popular is the name Irfan?
Irfan ranked #3,757 for US boys in 2025, given to 29 babies. Its best year was 1981, when it reached #3,030. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,694 places.
What names are similar to Irfan?
If you like Irfan, you might also like Veda, Ved, Gyan and Lwazi.
What should I know before naming my baby Irfan?
Irfan is an Indian boy name meaning “knowledge, gratitude”, with Arabic roots. Arabic names are often chosen for a virtue or a blessing parents hope their child will carry. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds crisp and confident, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.