صَفَا
Girl Arabic origin Ṣafā
In the Quran“Purity, clearness”; name of the hill of al-Safa in Mecca
The word as it is recited in the Quran: Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary, Al-Baqarah 2:158.
The Quran names the hill: “Al-Safa and al-Marwa are among the rites of Allah” (2:158). The walk between them recalls Hajar running in search of water for her son Ismaʿil.
Safa comes from the root s-f-w of purity and clearness (safaʾ, “serenity, clarity”). Al-Safa is also the name of the small hill in Mecca where the pilgrimage walk (saʿy) begins, towards al-Marwa: there the word means smooth, hard rock. The name combines both meanings.
Yes: Safa is named in the Quran once, in one surah.
إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِ فَمَنْ حَجَّ ٱلْبَيْتَ أَوِ ٱعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَا وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ ١٥٨
Indeed, aṣ-Ṣafā and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allāh. So whoever makes ḥajj [pilgrimage] to the House or performs ʿumrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allāh is Appreciative and Knowing.
All the words of the root ص ف و in the Quran (17 occurrences)
No text or scholarly opinion concerns the name Safa in particular: the general rules of Islam apply.
Read the rules for choosing a name
This page is an aid to reflection, not a fatwa. For a personal case, ask a person of knowledge.
