ألف

Alif

boyArabicMuslim

Alif is a Muslim boy name of Arabic origin, meaning “First letter of the Arabic alphabet”.

MeaningFirst letter of the Arabic alphabet
GenderBoy
OriginArabic
Written asألف
PronunciationAH-lif
TraditionMuslim
Used inMalaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan

Meaning and origin of Alif

Alif is the name of the opening letter of the Arabic alphabet, the single upright stroke that also starts the word Allah. Given to a boy, it suggests being first, standing tall and walking straight. It is especially well liked in Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh. In Urdu, saying something goes 'alif se' means it starts from the very beginning, which adds to the name's charm.

Is Alif a Muslim name?

Alif is the first letter of the script in which the Quran was revealed, and several surahs begin with the letters Alif Lam Mim. Surah al-Baqarah opens this way: 'Alif, Lam, Mim' (Quran 2:1).

How popular is Alif?

Alif is found mostly in Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Gifts with the name Alif

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Spellings and variants of Alif

AleefAlef

Names similar to Alif

More Muslim boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Alif mean?

Alif means 'First letter of the Arabic alphabet'. It is of Arabic origin.

Is Alif a Muslim name?

Alif is the first letter of the script in which the Quran was revealed, and several surahs begin with the letters Alif Lam Mim. Surah al-Baqarah opens this way: 'Alif, Lam, Mim' (Quran 2:1).

How do you pronounce Alif?

Alif is pronounced AH-lif.

Is Alif a boy or girl name?

Alif is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.