Khalifa
About Khalifa
Khalifa is a masculine name of Arabic origin meaning 'successor' or 'steward.' It holds significant historical and religious importance in Islamic traditions as 'caliph' (khalifah) refers to the political and religious successor to the prophet Muhammad. The name carries connotations of leadership, responsibility, and guardianship. In modern times, Khalifa gained wider recognition through prominent figures like Wiz Khalifa and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. While traditionally used in Arabic-speaking countries and Muslim communities worldwide, the name has seen increased global awareness in recent decades. Parents choosing this name often value its strong meaning related to leadership and its cultural heritage, while appreciating its distinctive yet accessible pronunciation.
Pronounced kah-LEE-fah.
As of October 2026, Khalifa ranked #4196 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #3575 in 2018.
AI-written. Reviewed by Pamela Redmond
Sources: US popularity data is from the Social Security Administration. Meanings and origins are from Nameberry's name references.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | #4,279 | 24 | 13 |
| 2018 | #3,575 | 31 | 17.1 |
| 2019 | #4,565 | 22 | 12.3 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | #4,510 | 23 | 13.2 |
| 2023 | #4,167 | 26 | 15.2 |
| 2024 | #3,731 | 30 | 17.4 |
| 2025 | #4,196 | 25 | 14.6 |