The school is located just north of the Alafia River, so school officials thought this name would be appropriate. The name Alafia is Spanish for the oleander, a plant that grew abundantly along the riverbanks long ago. Alafia Elementary School opened in August 1987 and recently celebrated their 20th year of educating children in Hillsborough County. The students chose turquoise and white as the school colors and the alligator as the mascot.