The baby name Monifa is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced moh-NEE-fah (moʊˈniːfə).
The baby name Monifa is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced moh-NEE-fah (moʊˈniːfə).
Monifa is in Origin.
Monifa is most often explained as a Yoruba (southwestern Nigeria) feminine name meaning “I am fortunate” or “I have good fortune,” built on mo ní (“I have/possess”). Some interpret it more specifically as Mo ní Ifá - “I possess Ifá,” the divinatory wisdom central to Yoruba religion - hence an implication of guidance and blessing. Because tones and diacritics are rarely marked in English, Monifa is sometimes conflated with Mónìfé/Monifé (“I have love”), a different but related Yoruba construction.
Usage blossomed in the African diaspora, particularly among African‑American families in the 1960s–80s Afrocentric naming movement, and it continues in West Africa as a modern, meaningful choice. Variants and spellings include Monifah (well known via the American R&B singer), Monife, and the accented Monifé. Cognate or conceptually related Yoruba names include Monirere (“I have goodness/fortune”) and Oriire (“good fortune”), which share the same theme of blessing and prosperity.
Monifa is a rare name. It doesn't appear in any of the major national birth registries we track; we found only 68 recorded uses across 13 countries. Expect very few children to share this name.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JM | 0 | #93 | 1 | 3,714 | |
| JM | Girls | 0 | #244 | 16 | 7,507 |
| BD | Girls | 0 | #401 | 6 | 8,413 |
| IR | Girls | 0 | #545 | 1 | 8,334 |
| KW | Girls | 0 | #558 | 4 | 19,177 |
| CR | Girls | 0 | #573 | 1 | 11,342 |
| AE | Girls | 0 | #597 | 1 | 20,968 |
| BD | Boys | 0 | #605 | 1 | 10,045 |
| IN | Girls | 0 | #654 | 1 | 13,121 |
| LB | 0 | #684 | 7 | 13,263 | |
| SY | 0 | #759 | 9 | 11,684 | |
| SA | Girls | 0 | #926 | 10 | 25,931 |
| EG | Girls | 0 | #1,009 | 1 | 14,742 |
| MA | 0 | #1,199 | 1 | 20,986 | |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,230 | 7 | 25,928 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,691 | 1 | 28,008 |
Monifa is popular in 13 countries — most recent births per country:
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