UK boy's name
Aleem
Derived from Arabic meaning "knowledgeable", "learned", or "wise".
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.
Aleem is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Aleem popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1951, with 12 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2018, with 21 births.
This profile covers 320 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 57% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 318 living people in the UK are called Aleem. 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
- • Aleem ranked #1951 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 12 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2018, when 21 boys were registered as Aleem.
- • About 318 living people in the UK are estimated to have Aleem as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1951
2024
Births in 2024
12
Latest year
Peak year
2018
21 births
Estimated living
318
2026
Meaning
What does Aleem mean?
The name Aleem has its roots in the Arabic language and Islamic culture. It is derived from the Arabic word 'ilm,' which means 'knowledge' or 'science.' The name Aleem can be translated as 'the knowledgeable one' or 'the learned one.'
In Islamic tradition, the name Aleem is one of the attributes of Allah, the supreme being. It is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, where Allah is referred to as "Al-Aleem," meaning "The All-Knowing" or "The Omniscient One."
The earliest recorded use of the name Aleem can be traced back to the 7th century, during the early years of Islamic civilization. One of the first notable individuals with this name was Aleem ibn Abi Al-Aswad, a renowned Arabic grammarian who lived in the 7th century and is credited with laying the foundations of Arabic grammar.
Throughout history, several prominent figures have borne the name Aleem. One of the most famous was Aleem al-Din Ali ibn Usman Al-Mawardi, a renowned Islamic jurist, philosopher, and scholar who lived from 972 to 1058 CE. He is best known for his influential works on Islamic jurisprudence and political theory, including his renowned book "Al-Ahkam Al-Sultaniyah" (The Ordinances of Government).
Another notable bearer of the name was Aleem-ud-Din Inayat Khan, an Indian mystic and musician who lived from 1882 to 1957. He is regarded as the founder of the Sufi Order in the West and played a significant role in introducing Sufism and the teachings of Islam to Western audiences.
In the field of literature, Aleem Siddiqi was a renowned Urdu poet and writer who lived from 1891 to 1976. His poetry, which often explored themes of love, spirituality, and social commentary, earned him widespread acclaim and a prominent place in the canon of Urdu literature.
More recently, Aleem Khan is a British filmmaker and screenwriter who has gained recognition for his work in both television and cinema. His critically acclaimed film "After Love" (2020) won several awards and garnered international recognition for its sensitive portrayal of cultural identity and familial relationships.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the name Aleem throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human knowledge and achievement.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Aleem over time
The chart below shows babies named Aleem 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 Aleem, the clearest high point is 2018. The latest England and Wales figure is 12 births in 2024, compared with 21 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Aleem by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Aleem 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 | #1935 | 59 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2153 | 117 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1513 | 115 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1627 | 29 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Aleem
- 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
Aleem: questions and answers
How popular is the name Aleem in the UK right now?
In 2024, Aleem was ranked #1951 for boys in England and Wales, with 12 births registered.
When was Aleem most popular?
The peak year on record was 2018, with 21 babies registered as Aleem in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Aleem?
Derived from Arabic meaning "knowledgeable", "learned", or "wise".
How many people are called Aleem in the UK?
A total of 320 babies have been registered as Aleem 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.