Hanif

Meaning of Hanif

Hanif is a masculine given name of Arabic origin derived from the triliteral root ḥ-n-f, signifying an adherent of pure monotheism or one who is upright in faith, a designation that appears in pre-Islamic and Qur’anic contexts to describe those who maintained the Abrahamic principle of tawḥīd in the face of prevailing polytheistic norms. Phonetically rendered in Modern Standard Arabic as [ha.ˈniːf], the name retains its classical consonant-vowel structure—hāʼ, nūn, yāʼ, fāʼ—when transliterated into English, ensuring consistency across Anglo-American onomastic registers. Analysis of United States Social Security data reveals that from the early 1980s onward Hanif has sporadically entered the annual top 1,000 male names, most recently registering 15 births in 2024 and securing the 909th rank, a pattern that underscores a modest yet enduring presence among parents seeking a name that combines linguistic precision with rich theological and cultural resonance. In contemporary usage, Hanif conveys connotations of integrity, spiritual orientation, and cross-cultural identity, making it a technically precise choice for newborn boys whose bearers may inherit its historical associations with steadfast belief.