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Khalifa

Boy name · Arabic

Meaningsuccessor · Arabic

Khalifa is an Arabic boy name meaning “successor”. 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 flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.

Did you know?

  • Hidden namesLook closely: Khalifa has the name Ali hiding inside it.
  • Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Khalifa would score 17 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
  • GenerationKhalifa peaked in 2018, which makes it a Gen Alpha name. The typical Khalifa you'd meet today is about 7 years old.
  • Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Khalifa would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 68,493 baby boys got the name in 2025.
  • HistoryKhalifa first shows up in US birth records in 1986, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 39 years since.
Baby yawning
hello, little Khalifa

US births per million boys, 1986–2025

0918198620002025

Similar names

Boy name: KhalilBoy name: KhalidBoy name: KhaledBoy name: KhaleelBoy name: KhairiBoy name: Khalon
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).

About the name Khalifa

Khalifa is a boy name of Arabic origin meaning “successor”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 2010s and is climbing again now. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.

Origin:Arabic names

More Arabic boy names

Questions about the name Khalifa

What does the name Khalifa mean?

Khalifa means “successor” and comes from Arabic.

What is the origin of the name Khalifa?

Khalifa is Arabic in origin. Other Arabic names to consider are Caleb (“dog, faithful”), Silas (“of the forest”), Aaron (“possibly exalted”) and Amir (“prince, commander”).

Is Khalifa a boy or girl name?

Khalifa is a boy name. In 2025, 25 US boys were named Khalifa.

How popular is the name Khalifa?

Khalifa ranked #4,139 for US boys in 2025, given to 25 babies. Its best year was 2018, when it reached #3,524. Over the last five years it has climbed 2,481 places.

What should I know before naming my baby Khalifa?

Khalifa is an Arabic boy name meaning “successor”. 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 flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.