Haf, Hafina, Hefin, Hefina

• Origin: Welsh
• Meaning: “Summer.”
• (HAHV; hah-VEE-nah; HEH-vin, heh-VEE-nah).

These names are derived from the Welsh haf, meaning “summer.” Hefin is derived from a literary Welsh word for “summer,” coined by the influential Welsh antiquarian and poet Iolo Morganwg (1747–1826) from haf, “summer.” It was likely influenced by the Welsh word for June, Mehefin. Iolo’s terminology became influential during the Welsh cultural revival of the 19th century, particularly through the Gorsedd and Eisteddfod movements. The masculine name Hefin and its feminine form Hefina appear to have arisen subsequently, possibly as part of the wider revival of distinctly Welsh names and vocabulary.

Hafina is an elaborated form of Haf, while Haf itself is used as a feminine name in Wales, though it appears more frequently as a middle name. Hefina, meanwhile, is the feminine form of Hefin. Despite their similarity, Hafina and Hefina represent different formations from the same Welsh root, haf.

Notable bearers include Welsh author and columnist Mair Hafina Coppack (1936–2011), better known by her pen name Hafina Clwyd, and Welsh activist Hefina Headon (1930–2013), who was portrayed by Imelda Staunton in the 2014 film Pride.

Sources

• https://www.behindthename.com/name/haf
• https://www.behindthename.com/name/hefina
• https://www.behindthename.com/name/hefin
• https://kimkat.org/amryw/1_enwau/enwau_bedydd_cymraeg_geiriadur_1_1265e.htm