Girl name
Nefes name meaning
“breath; the breathing that sustains life”
Nefes means breath, the exchange of air that sustains life. It comes from Arabic nafas through Ottoman Turkish and is used as a feminine name in Türkiye. Breath becoming visible in cold air offers a concrete image, while nefes also names a form of poetry and song in Turkish tradition.
- Gender
- ♀ Girl
- Origin
- Arabic
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity
- In TÜİK lists
What does Nefes mean?
Breath; the breathing that sustains life
In Turkish: soluk; yaşamı sürdüren hava alışverişi
Nefes centers on breathing as an essential act of life. Turkish expressions also use it for a brief pause or moment of relief. In literature and music, nefes names a devotional form associated with the Alevi-Bektashi tradition, adding a specific cultural layer to the word.
How popular is Nefes?
Official figures: TÜİK newborn name lists (2018–2025, the top 30 for Türkiye and each of the 81 provinces every year) and the most common names in the population.
- Province lists
- 61provinces
Where is Nefes in the top 30?
61 provinces · the latest year each province listed it
Double names with Nefes
Double names counted as one name in TÜİK newborn lists (all years and provinces combined).
Source: TurkStat (TÜİK), Address-Based Population Registration System. The lists cover the top 30 names per year, sex and province; no official counts are published for less common names. All statistics →
Why is Nefes popular?
Nefes means breath, directly evoking life, and is the lead character's name in Sen Anlat Karadeniz. Its soft, two-syllable sound complements that emotional association.
Origin of the name Nefes
From Arabic nafas, breath, transmitted through Ottoman Turkish into everyday Turkish.
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 Nefes
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
-
Nefes Berra
Meaning of each name
- Nefes: breath; the breathing that sustains life
- Berra: virtuous; devoted to doing good
-
Elif Nefes
Meaning of each name
- Elif: name of the Arabic alphabet's first letter
- Nefes: breath; the breathing that sustains life
-
Nefes Damlanur
Meaning of each name
- Nefes: breath; the breathing that sustains life
- Damlanur: drop and light; a drop of radiance
-
Kübra Nefes
Meaning of each name
- Kübra: greater; greatest
- Nefes: breath; the breathing that sustains life
-
Nefes Cennet
Meaning of each name
- Nefes: breath; the breathing that sustains life
- Cennet: paradise; a garden of eternal blessedness
-
Reyyan Nefes
Meaning of each name
- Reyyan: quenched with water; fresh and lush
- Nefes: breath; the breathing that sustains life
Double names found in TÜİK’s newborn lists: Nefes İkra.
How to pronounce Nefes
| Syllables | 2 · 5 letters · 5-letter girl names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /nefes/ |
| Ottoman Turkish | نفس |
Is Nefes a girl’s name?
Yes, Nefes is used mostly as a girl’s name. See all girl names.
Nefes appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists. See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like Nefes
Names with related meanings
- Umay♀Protective female figure in ancient Turkic belief
- Ayşe♀Living woman
- Ayşegül♀A combination of Ayşe and rose
- Havva♀Life
- Reyyan♀Quenched with water
- Ayşenur♀Ayşe combined with Nur, meaning light
- Cansu♀Water of life
- Ömür♀Lifespan
- Havvanur♀Havva combined with light
- Hayat♀Life, the state of being alive
- Nihal♀Young tree
- Eva♀Life
FAQ about the name Nefes
What is the meaning of Nefes?
Nefes means “breath; the breathing that sustains life”. From Arabic nafas, breath, transmitted through Ottoman Turkish into everyday Turkish.
Is Nefes a girl’s name?
Yes, Nefes is used mostly as a girl’s name.
Is Nefes in the Quran?
No. Neither the name Nefes nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name Nefes?
Nefes is of Arabic origin.
How many syllables does Nefes have?
Nefes has 2 syllables and 5 letters.
How popular is the name Nefes?
Nefes appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists. See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
What names go well with Nefes?
Some ideas: Nefes Berra; Elif Nefes; Nefes Damlanur.
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: nm00385 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake