Nafis
/naˈfiːs/noun
An Arabic masculine given name meaning precious, valuable, or exquisite.
Did you know?The celebrated 13th-century physician Ibn al-Nafis—whose name means “the precious one”—described pulmonary circulation centuries before it was recognized in Europe.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*napš-
“A reconstructed root associated with breath, life, self, or inner essence”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
nafs
“Self, soul, person, breath, or inner life”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
nafīṣ / nafīs
“Precious, choice, rare, or highly valued”
13th Century
Arabic
al-Nafīs
“A nisbah or personal name meaning “the precious one,” used by the physician Ibn al-Nafis”
Modern English
English
Nafis
“An established Arabic masculine given name used in English-language contexts”