UK boy's name
Akram
Of Arabic origin, meaning "the greatest" or "most generous".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Akram is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Akram popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #981, with 31 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 34 births.
This profile covers 657 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 91% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 653 living people in the UK are called Akram. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Akram ranked #981 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 31 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 34 boys were registered as Akram.
- • About 653 living people in the UK are estimated to have Akram as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#981
2024
Births in 2024
31
Latest year
Peak year
2014
34 births
Estimated living
653
2026
Meaning
What does Akram mean?
The name Akram is derived from the Arabic word "kareem," which means "noble" or "generous." It is a popular name in the Islamic world and has its roots in the Middle East, particularly in regions with significant Arab or Muslim populations.
The name Akram first appeared in the 7th century, during the time of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is believed to have been used by some of the early Muslim scholars and companions of the Prophet. The Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, mentions the word "kareem" in several verses, which may have contributed to the popularity of the name.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Akram was Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, a close companion of Prophet Muhammad and the first Caliph of the Islamic empire. He lived from 573 CE to 634 CE and played a crucial role in the early spread of Islam.
Another notable historical figure named Akram was Al-Akram al-Sijistani, a Persian philosopher and poet who lived in the 9th century CE. He was known for his contributions to Islamic philosophy and his poetic works.
In the 11th century, Akram Khan was a prominent military leader and governor in the Seljuk Empire, which dominated much of the Middle East and Central Asia. He was instrumental in the expansion of the empire and the defense of its territories.
During the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over a vast region spanning parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa from the 14th to the early 20th century, the name Akram was also used. One notable figure was Akram Ağa, a powerful Ottoman statesman and Grand Vizier (prime minister) who served during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid I in the late 18th century.
In more recent history, Akram Khan is the name of a renowned British dancer and choreographer of Bangladeshi descent, born in 1974. He is known for his innovative and influential works that blend contemporary dance with traditional South Asian dance forms.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Akram, reflecting its deep roots in the Islamic world and its continued use across different cultures and time periods.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Akram over time
The chart below shows babies named Akram registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Akram, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 31 births in 2024, compared with 34 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Akram by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Akram was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #995 | 149 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1067 | 262 | 10 |
| 2000s | #989 | 215 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1526 | 31 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Akram
-
Akram Khan
author; performing artist; artistic director; choreographer; theatre director; dancer
British dancer and choreographer
1974-
Related
Names similar to Akram
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Akram: questions and answers
How popular is the name Akram in the UK right now?
In 2024, Akram was ranked #981 for boys in England and Wales, with 31 births registered.
When was Akram most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 34 babies registered as Akram in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Akram?
Of Arabic origin, meaning "the greatest" or "most generous".
How many people are called Akram in the UK?
A total of 657 babies have been registered as Akram across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.