NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Aleema

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "well-educated, learned woman".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Aleema is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Aleema popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4056, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 16 births.

This profile covers 240 England and Wales registrations across 27 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. 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 31% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 239 living people in the UK are called Aleema. 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 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Aleema ranked #4056 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 16 girls were registered as Aleema.
  • About 239 living people in the UK are estimated to have Aleema as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4056

2023

Births in 2023

5

Latest year

Peak year

1998

16 births

Estimated living

239

2026

Meaning

What does Aleema mean?

The name Aleema is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language, derived from the word "aalima," which means "knowledgeable" or "learned." This name can be traced back to the Islamic culture and the Middle East region.

Aleema is considered a feminine name, and its earliest recorded use dates back to the 7th century CE, during the time of the Islamic Golden Age. The name was often given to girls who were seen as intelligent and studious, reflecting the importance placed on education and knowledge within Islamic culture.

One of the earliest known historical references to the name Aleema can be found in the works of the renowned Arab poet and scholar, Al-Mutanabbi, who lived in the 10th century CE. In his poetry, he mentioned a woman named Aleema, praising her wisdom and intellectual prowess.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Aleema. One of the most famous was Aleema Khan (1926-2022), a Pakistani educator and social activist who dedicated her life to promoting women's education and empowerment. She founded the prestigious Aleema Khan School in Lahore, Pakistan, which has produced numerous accomplished alumni.

Another notable Aleema was Aleema Khawaja (1923-2015), a Syrian writer and feminist who played a significant role in advocating for women's rights and gender equality in the Middle East. Her influential works addressed issues of patriarchy, social injustice, and the struggles faced by women in traditional societies.

In the realm of science, Aleema Nasir (1918-2008) was a pioneering Pakistani botanist and academic. She made significant contributions to the field of plant taxonomy and was instrumental in establishing the Department of Botany at the University of Karachi.

Aleema Ibrahim (1940-2018) was an Egyptian actress and singer who gained widespread recognition for her roles in numerous films and television series. She was celebrated for her versatility and her ability to portray complex characters with depth and nuance.

Aleema Saadia (1905-1992) was a notable Indian historian and scholar who specialized in the study of medieval Indian history and culture. Her extensive research and publications shed light on the rich heritage of the subcontinent during the Mughal and Sultanate periods.

These are just a few examples of the many remarkable women who have carried the name Aleema throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human knowledge and achievement.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Aleema over time

The chart below shows babies named Aleema registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Aleema, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2023, compared with 16 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Aleema
0481216199620092023

Decades

Aleema by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Aleema 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 #3779 22 4
2010s #3617 60 9
2000s #2045 102 10
1990s #1319 56 4

Related

Names similar to Aleema

FAQ

Aleema: questions and answers

How popular is the name Aleema in the UK right now?

In 2023, Aleema was ranked #4056 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Aleema most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 16 babies registered as Aleema in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Aleema?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "well-educated, learned woman".

How many people are called Aleema in the UK?

A total of 240 babies have been registered as Aleema across the 27 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.