Meaning & History
Lətif is an Azerbaijani masculine given name, derived from the Arabic name Latif. In Arabic, the root l-ṭ-f conveys notions of gentleness, subtlety, and kindness. The name appears in Islamic tradition as al-Laṭīf, one of the 99 names of Allah, often interpreted as "The Subtle One" or "The Kind."
Azerbaijani, a Turkic language heavily influenced by Persian and Arabic, adopted many names from the Islamic world, including Lətif. The modified spelling with a dotted L (ə) reflects Azerbaijani phonology. The name is relatively uncommon but carries strong religious and cultural significance for Muslim families.
Related forms include Latheef in Dhivehi (Maldivian) and Letîf in Kurdish, showcasing the name's spread across Muslim-majority regions. In Azerbaijani, Lətif is typically used as a first name, though it may appear as a surname in rare instances.
- Meaning: Gentle, kind
- Origin: Arabic via Azerbaijani
- Type: First name (masculine)
- Usage regions: Azerbaijan, among Azerbaijani diaspora