The first name Irfan
A boy’s name from Arabic meaning “knowledge”.
2 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
Arabic origin
Irfan means “knowledge” in Arabic.
Borrowed from Arabic عِرْفَان (ʕirfān, “knowledge”). This given name is mostly found in Pakistan.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 14 boys were named Irfan, making it the 1,798th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2007, with 30 births (#865).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Irfan with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Irfan at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 29 boys born in the United States were named Irfan, the 3,797th most popular boys’ name that year.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Famous people named Irfan
5 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Irfan SmajlagićCroatian handball player, born 1961
- Irfan LjubijankićBosniak musician, diplomat and politician (1952-1995)
- Irfan HorozovićBosnian writer, 1947–2025
- Irfan MakkiCanadian singer, born 1975
- Irfan ShahidAmerican scholar in Oriental studies (1926–2016)
More Arabic boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Irfan mean?
- Irfan means “knowledge” in Arabic.
- What is the origin of the name Irfan?
- Borrowed from Arabic عِرْفَان (ʕirfān, “knowledge”). This given name is mostly found in Pakistan.
- How popular is the name Irfan?
- In 2025, 14 boys born in England and Wales were named Irfan, ranking 1,798th. Its peak was 2007, with 30 births.
- Is Irfan a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 696 US babies named Irfan since 1880 were boys.
- When was Irfan most popular?
- 2025 in the United States, when 29 babies were named Irfan, its highest rank at 3,797th.