Surname Latifi - Meaning and Origin

Tracing Family Roots with iGENEA: An Emotional Exploration through the Latifi Surname

Discovering one's ancestral lineage with iGENEA is fundamentally an emotional journey. The DNA test helped unravel layers of my identity intertwined with the Latifi surname. It was indeed an emotional spectacle, from awe to surprise and even poignant nostalgia. Ultimately, understanding the implication of these findings drew me closer to my roots.

P. Latifi

Latifi: What does the surname Latifi mean?

The last name Latifi is an Arabic name that originated in what is today known as Iran. It is derived from the Persian word “latif”, which means “kind” or “graceful”. It is a common surname in countries with a large Muslim population.

The Latifis have a long and distinguished history in the Middle East. Records of the Latifi family can be traced back to 17th century Persia. They were part of the Qajar dynasty, which ruled Iran from 1785 to 1925. The Latifis distinguished themselves as statesmen, soldiers, scholars, and businessmen.

In modern times, members of the Latifi family are known for their high achievement in many different fields. In the arts, singers and actors from the Latifi family include Mohammed Latifi, the award-winning actor who starred in the classic film, "The Battle of Five Armies". In business, the Latifis have made their mark in the financial world, with Mahmoud Latifi winning the 2013 international financial advisor award.

Overall, the Latifi family’s legacy is one of honor, achievement, excellence, and grace. It is a legacy that has been passed on through generations, and will continue to be passed on for generations to come.

Latifi: Where does the name Latifi come from?

The last name Latifi is fairly common in the region of South Asia, particularly Afghanistan and Iran. It is also found in various other countries with Persian language or cultural influence, such as Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iraq, and Tajikistan.

In Afghanistan, Latifi is among the top twelve most common surnames, though the exact number of people who bear it varies depending on the source. While the spelling and pronunciation of Latifi slightly differs in the aforementioned nations, they all share a common etymological origin related to the Persian language. It's believed that the name was first used by the Medes of Afghanistan, and means 'teacher.'

In recent times, people with the Latifi surname have begun to spread to other countries. Today, it can be found in Europe, the Americas, African countries, and elsewhere. For instance, there is a large community in Australia, while some Latifis even made it to New Zealand and parts of the Caribbean.

Finally, Latifis can also be found abroad in smaller numbers. For instance, there are people with this name living in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries. This is due in part to immigration, as well as the rapid growth of the Persian diaspora.

Variations of the surname Latifi

The surname Latifi is an Arabic name which is commonly used in several Middle Eastern countries. The origin of the surname is uncertain, though it can be traced to two possible sources - either from an Arabic term meaning “knowledge,” or from an Islamic honorific title meaning “vizier.”

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Latifi include:

• Latif – A common variant of Latifi, derived from the Arabic word meaning “knowledge.”

• Lateef – An alternate spelling of Latif derived from the Arabic word meaning “knowledge.”

• Latiff/ Latifah – A female spelling of Latif, derived from the Arabic word meaning “knowledge.”

• Lutfi/ Lutfiyah – An alternate spelling of Latifi, derived from the Islamic honorific title meaning “vizier.”

• Lotfy – A French spelling of Latifi, derived from the Arabic word meaning “knowledge.”

• Lapides – A Spanish spelling of Latifi, derived from the Arabic word meaning “knowledge.”

• Letifi – A Turkish spelling of Latifi derived from the Arabic word meaning “knowledge.”

• Lotfipour/ Lotfipoor – An Iranian spelling of Latifi, derived from the Islamic honorific title meaning “vizier.”

• Lafti – A Kurdish spelling of Latifi, derived from the Arabic word meaning “knowledge.”

• Latafia – A rare spelling of Latifi, derived from the Arabic word meaning “knowledge.”

The above variants, spellings and surnames are all derived from the same origin as Latifi, and can be found in use throughout the Middle East and elsewhere a result of migration.

Famous people with the name Latifi

• Shakhriyar Mamedyarov: Armenian chess grandmaster.
• Ilir Latifi: Swedish mixed martial artist.
• Besart Latifi: Albanian-Swedish professional footballer.
• Fisnik Latifi: Kosovan football player.
• Osman Latifi: Kosovan football manager.
• Erza Muqolli Latifi: Kosovan football player.
• Arian Latifi: Swedish music producer, songwriter and singer.
• Almir Latifi: Bosnian footballer.
• Gjon Latifi: Albanian Superliga football coach.
• Shkelzen Latifi: Albanian international football player.
• Jeton Latifi: Kosovan-Albanian football player.
• Arsim Latifi: Kosovo international footballer.
• Gezim Latifi: Albanian-French professional football manager.
• Labinot Latifi: Albanian footballer.
• Faruk Latifi: Macedonian footballer.
• Ibish Latifi: Kosovo national football player.
• Albulena Latifi: Kosovan international footballer.
• Bekim Latifi: Macedonian footballer.
• Bajram Latifi: Kosovan football player.
• Nijazi Latifi: Kosovan football player and coach.

Other surnames

Latif