Boy name
Latif name meaning
“gentle, refined; pleasant and graceful”
Latif means “gentle, refined, pleasant and graceful.” It comes from the Arabic adjective latif, which also entered Ottoman Turkish. Used as a masculine name in Türkiye, it evokes the softness of finely woven cloth or the delicacy of a carefully worked decorative detail.
What does Latif mean?
Gentle, refined; pleasant and graceful
In Turkish: ince, nazik; hoş ve zarif
Latif can describe pleasant weather, a gentle manner or refined expression in Turkish. Al-Latif is also a divine name in Islamic tradition, associated with subtle knowledge and gracious kindness. Latife and Abdüllatif belong to the same name family, although their grammatical structures and full meanings differ.
Origin of the name Latif
Latif comes from Arabic laṭīf, an adjective expressing gentleness, subtlety and pleasantness. It was also established as a word and personal name in Ottoman Turkish.
| Linguistic origin | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Naming tradition | Islamic |
| In Islamic history | Names found in the Quran, Names of God (Asma al-Husna) |
| Is Latif in the Quran? | As a word · لطيف · 42:19Latif occurs in the Quran as an adjective describing God, including in Surah Ash-Shura. |
| Starts with | L · La |
Names are shared across communities. Where a name is common says nothing certain about any one person’s background, faith or origin.
Double names with Latif
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
-
Latif Şafak
Meaning of each name
- Latif: gentle, refined; pleasant and graceful
- Şafak: the first light appearing before sunrise
-
Umur Latif
Meaning of each name
- Umur: affairs, matters; concerns
- Latif: gentle, refined; pleasant and graceful
-
Latif Burak
Meaning of each name
- Latif: gentle, refined; pleasant and graceful
- Burak: mount of the Night Journey; lightning-related name
-
Resul Latif
Meaning of each name
- Resul: messenger; bearer of a divine message
- Latif: gentle, refined; pleasant and graceful
-
Latif Münip
Meaning of each name
- Latif: gentle, refined; pleasant and graceful
- Münip: turning to God, repentant
-
Beşir Latif
Meaning of each name
- Beşir: bearer of glad tidings
- Latif: gentle, refined; pleasant and graceful
How to pronounce Latif
| Syllables | 2 · 5 letters · 5-letter boy names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /latif/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | لطيف |
Is Latif a boy’s name?
Yes, Latif is used mostly as a boy’s name. See all boy names.
Latif does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 18 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
Spellings and similar names
Spellings covered by this page: Lâtif
Names that sound like Latif
Names with related meanings
- Kerem♂Generosity, magnanimity, kindness
- Enes♂Companionship, friendliness, familiarity
- Kayra♂Favor and grace
- Salih♂Good, virtuous, righteous
- Ensar♂Helpers, supporters
- Kerim♂Generous
- Semih♂Generous, open-handed and tolerant
- Ekrem♂Most generous
- İhsan♂Doing good
- Haluk♂Good-natured
- Necdet♂Bravery, valour
- Hilmi♂Relating to forbearance and gentleness
Famous people named Latif
- Latif Yalınlı · b. 1906
- Latif Aküzüm · b. 1912
- Latif Demirci · b. 1961
- Latif Topbaş · b. 1944
- Lâtif Doğan · b. 1967
- Latif Onur Uğur · b. 1968
- Latif Öztek · b. 1948
- Latif Sakıcı · b. 1934
- Latif Selvi · b. 1964
- Latif Aklan · b. 2004
- Lâtif Çelik · b. 1960
- Latif Gürkan Kaya
FAQ about the name Latif
What is the meaning of Latif?
Latif means “gentle, refined; pleasant and graceful”. Latif comes from Arabic laṭīf, an adjective expressing gentleness, subtlety and pleasantness. It was also established as a word and personal name in Ottoman Turkish.
Is Latif a boy’s name?
Yes, Latif is used mostly as a boy’s name.
Is Latif in the Quran?
As a word. Latif occurs in the Quran as an adjective describing God, including in Surah Ash-Shura. (e.g.: 42:19)
What is the origin of the name Latif?
Latif is of Arabic origin.
How many syllables does Latif have?
Latif has 2 syllables and 5 letters.
How popular is the name Latif?
Latif does not appear in TÜİK’s top-30 lists (Türkiye and provinces, up to 2025). In our sample of notable people (Wikidata), 18 people bear it; this is not a national figure.
What are other spellings of Latif?
Other spellings: Lâtif.
What names go well with Latif?
Some ideas: Latif Şafak; Umur Latif; Latif Burak.
Famous people named Latif?
Notable people named Latif include Latif Yalınlı, Latif Aküzüm, Latif Demirci.
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: nm01366 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake