Latifa
/ləˈtiːfə/noun
A feminine given name of Arabic origin meaning gentle, kind, or subtle.
Did you know?In Islamic mysticism, al-Laṭīf—“the Subtle” or “the Gentle”—is one of the divine names of God, associated with hidden kindness and imperceptible spiritual influence.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Islamic Arabic
Arabic
laṭīf (لطيف)
“Gentle, delicate, subtle, refined, or gracious; derived from the Arabic root ṭ-f associated with subtlety and kindness.”
7th Century
Quranic Arabic
al-Laṭīf (اللَّطِيف)
““The Subtle” or “The Gentle,” a divine epithet describing God’s hidden, delicate care and awareness.”
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
laṭīfa (لطيفة)
“Feminine form of laṭīf; also a subtle observation, witty remark, or charming anecdote.”
Modern Arabic
Arabic
Laṭīfa
“A feminine personal name meaning gentle, kind, gracious, or subtle.”
Modern English
English
Latifa
“An established transliteration and personal name used in English.”