Lateef
From Arabic لَطِيف (laṭīf, “gentle, kind”).
Every Lateef since 1967 — 891 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Lateef
Lateef is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1967, 891 American babies have been named Lateef. Its peak came in 1977, when 47 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Lateef stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Lateef year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 6 | #11,710 |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | 6 | #11,418 |
| 2019 | 9 | #8,604 |
| 2018 | 13 | #6,553 |
| 2017 | 9 | #8,548 |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | 10 | #7,903 |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | 5 | #13,403 |
| 2011 | 11 | #7,303 |
| 2010 | 14 | #6,238 |
| 2009 | 10 | #8,057 |
| 2008 | 14 | #6,276 |
| 2007 | 8 | #9,404 |
| 2006 | 10 | #7,775 |
| 2005 | 13 | #6,079 |
| 2004 | 5 | #12,445 |
| 2003 | 12 | #6,099 |
| 2002 | 14 | #5,291 |
| 2001 | 14 | #5,300 |
| 2000 | 12 | #5,767 |
| 1995 | 10 | #5,742 |
| 1990 | 19 | #3,254 |
| 1985 | 16 | #3,028 |
| 1980 | 45 | #1,422 |
| 1975 | 36 | #1,491 |
| 1970 | 8 | #3,695 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Lateef
- Lateef Crowder dos Santos Actor · b. 1977
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lateef mean?
From Arabic لَطِيف (laṭīf, “gentle, kind”).
How popular is the name Lateef in 2025?
Lateef did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Lateef?
891 babies have been named Lateef in the United States since 1967, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Lateef most popular?
Lateef peaked in 1977, when 47 newborns received the name.
Is Lateef a boy or girl name?
Lateef is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Lateef rising or falling?
Lateef is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Lateef?
Well-known people named Lateef include Lateef Crowder dos Santos (actor).