Latif

Etymology and Meaning

Latif (Arabic: لطيف) is an Arabic unisex name meaning "gentle, kind". It derives from the Arabic root l-ṭ-f, which connotes subtlety, kindness, and gentleness. In Islamic tradition, اللطيف (al-Laṭīf) is one of the 99 names of Allah, signifying "The Subtle" or "The Kind." As a given name, Latif often appears as a short form of Abdul Latif, meaning "servant of the Gentle." The feminine forms include Lateefah, Latifa, and Latifah, prevalent in Arabic-speaking and Muslim cultures. Variants across languages include Azerbaijani Lətif, Dhivehi Latheef, and Kurdish Letîf.

Notable Bearers

Latif has been used across various fields. Shah Abdul Latif (1689/90–1752) was a revered Sindhi Sufi poet. Latif Halmat (born 1947), also known as Letîf Helmet, is a prominent Kurdish-Iraqi poet. In the arts, Latif Karimov (1906–1991) was an influential Azerbaijani carpet designer, and Latif Kapadia (1934–2002) was a Pakistani stage and television actor. In sports and entertainment, Latif (born Corey Latif Williams) is an American R&B singer, Latif (born Abdullatif Alhmili, 1990) is a Saudi-American fighting game player, and Latif Nangarhari (born 1981) is an Afghan singer. Other figures include Latif Afridi (1943–2023), a Pakistani lawyer; and Latif Khosa (born 1946), former Governor of Punjab, Pakistan.

Geographic and Cultural Usage

Latif is common as both a given name and surname in the Arab world, South Asia (particularly Pakistan and India), and among Muslim communities globally. The feminine forms, especially Latifa, are widespread across the Middle East and North Africa. The name's religious significance as a divine attribute contributes to its enduring popularity.

• Meaning: “gentle, kind” (Arabic)
• Origin: Arabic
• Type: Given name (unisex)
• Usage Regions: Arabic, Urdu, Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Dhivehi