UK boy's name
Arhum
An Arabic name meaning "merciful" or "one who has compassion".
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.
Arhum is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Arhum popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 8 births.
This profile covers 53 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 2006 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 53 living people in the UK are called Arhum. 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
- • Arhum ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 8 boys were registered as Arhum.
- • About 53 living people in the UK are estimated to have Arhum as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2017
8 births
Estimated living
53
2026
Meaning
What does Arhum mean?
The name Arhum finds its roots in the Arabic language and culture, originating in the Middle Eastern region. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "arham," which means "most merciful" or "more merciful." The name carries a profound meaning associated with compassion and kindness.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Arhum can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the Islamic Golden Age. It is mentioned in several historical texts and manuscripts from that era, suggesting its usage among Arabic-speaking communities.
In the 9th century CE, Arhum Ibn Mansur al-Qaisi, a renowned Arab poet and scholar, gained recognition for his literary contributions. His poetry celebrated the virtues of mercy and compassion, reflecting the essence of his name.
Another notable figure bearing the name Arhum was Arhum al-Baghdadi, an influential Islamic scholar and jurist who lived in the 11th century CE. His works on Islamic jurisprudence and theology were widely studied and respected during his time.
During the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt and Syria, which spanned from the 13th to the 16th centuries, the name Arhum was also found among the ruling elite. Arhum al-Nasiri, a high-ranking official and military commander, played a pivotal role in the administration of the Mamluk state.
In more recent times, Arhum Amin was a renowned Pakistani poet and writer who lived from 1929 to 2004. His literary works, which often explored themes of love, spirituality, and human emotions, earned him widespread acclaim and numerous accolades.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who carried the name Arhum, reflecting its enduring presence and significance within the Arabic-speaking world and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Arhum over time
The chart below shows babies named Arhum registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 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 Arhum, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Arhum by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Arhum 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 | #4193 | 16 | 4 |
| 2010s | #3555 | 21 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3702 | 16 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Arhum
- 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
Arhum: questions and answers
How popular is the name Arhum in the UK right now?
In 2024, Arhum was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Arhum most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 8 babies registered as Arhum in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Arhum?
An Arabic name meaning "merciful" or "one who has compassion".
How many people are called Arhum in the UK?
A total of 53 babies have been registered as Arhum across the 12 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.