Arafat is of Arabic origin, meaning 'most exalted' or 'noble'. It is derived from the Arabic word 'arafa', which signifies 'to know'. This name gained prominence due to its association with Yasser Arafat (1929-2004), a Palestinian leader and the first President of the Palestinian National Authority.
"Arafat has seen a steady increase in popularity as a baby name since the late 20th century, with a significant spike from 2011 onwards."