Girl name
Khalifa name meaning
“successor; deputy, caliph”
Khalifa means “successor, deputy, caliph” and comes from Arabic khalīfa, a word for someone who takes another’s place. The same word entered Turkish as halife. Used as a feminine name in Türkiye, it also recalls the historical title of caliph and its associations with succession and representation.
What does Khalifa mean?
Successor; deputy, caliph
In Turkish: yerine geçen; ardıl, halife
Khalifa is an Arabic word used both as a personal name and a historical title. It is connected with the caliphs who exercised authority after the Prophet Muhammad. The word also occurs in the Quran, although its scriptural usage and the later political office do not have identical scopes.
Origin of the name Khalifa
Khalifa transliterates Arabic khalīfa, meaning successor or deputy. The same word entered Turkish as halife and also developed its familiar sense as an Islamic political title.
| Linguistic origin | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Naming tradition | Islamic |
| In Islamic history | Names found in the Quran |
| Is Khalifa in the Quran? | As a word · خليفة · 2:30, 38:26The Arabic word خليفة occurs in the Quran as an ordinary word meaning successor or deputy, rather than a personal name. |
| Starts with | K |
Names are shared across communities. Where a name is common says nothing certain about any one person’s background, faith or origin.
How to pronounce Khalifa
| Syllables | 3 · 7 letters · 7-letter girl names |
|---|---|
| Ottoman Turkish | خليفه |
| Arabic | خليفة |
Is Khalifa a girl’s name?
Yes, Khalifa is used mostly as a girl’s name. See all girl names.
Khalifa does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 1 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Names with related meanings
- Miray♀Lord of the moon
- Sultan♀Sovereign
- Melike♀Queen, female sovereign
- Tuğçe♀A small ceremonial horsehair standard
- Tomris♀Turkish name of Tomyris, queen of the Massagetae
- Nurhan♀A compound evoking light and rulership
- Selver♀Leader, foremost one
- Elmira♀Ruler of the country
- Beyhan♂♀Bey and khan
- Saruhan♂♀Yellow or fair khan
- Karahan♂♀Black khan
- Önal♂♀Take the lead
FAQ about the name Khalifa
What is the meaning of Khalifa?
Khalifa means “successor; deputy, caliph”. Khalifa transliterates Arabic khalīfa, meaning successor or deputy. The same word entered Turkish as halife and also developed its familiar sense as an Islamic political title.
Is Khalifa a girl’s name?
Yes, Khalifa is used mostly as a girl’s name.
Is Khalifa in the Quran?
As a word. The Arabic word خليفة occurs in the Quran as an ordinary word meaning successor or deputy, rather than a personal name. (e.g.: 2:30, 38:26)
What is the origin of the name Khalifa?
Khalifa is of Arabic origin.
How many syllables does Khalifa have?
Khalifa has 3 syllables and 7 letters.
How popular is the name Khalifa?
Khalifa does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 1 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm14056 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake