UK boy's name
Basem
An Arabic name meaning "smiling one" or "cheerful one".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Basem is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Basem popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2009 to 2021. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Basem. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Basem ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 boys were registered as Basem.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Basem as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Basem mean?
The name Basem is of Arabic origin and can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Arabic word "basim," which means "smiling" or "cheerful." The name is believed to have originated in the Arabian Peninsula and was later spread to other regions through trade, conquest, and cultural exchange.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Basem can be found in ancient Arabic literature and poetry. It was often used to describe individuals with a pleasant demeanor and a joyful spirit. In some Islamic texts, the name is associated with the concept of gratitude and contentment, as a cheerful disposition was seen as a manifestation of appreciation for the blessings of God.
The name Basem gained popularity during the Golden Age of Islamic civilization, which spanned from the 8th to the 13th century. During this period, many scholars, poets, and intellectuals bore the name, contributing to its widespread recognition. One notable figure was Basem al-Kindi, a renowned Arab philosopher and mathematician who lived in the 9th century. His contributions to the fields of optics, physics, and metaphysics were significant and influential.
Another prominent individual with the name Basem was Basem al-Maliki, a 12th-century Muslim scholar and jurist from Cordoba, Spain. He was known for his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual discourse of his time.
In the 13th century, Basem al-Qayrawani, a Tunisian poet and writer, gained fame for his literary works, which celebrated the beauty of the Arabic language and explored themes of love, nature, and spirituality.
Moving forward in history, the name Basem continued to be widely used across the Arab world and beyond. In the 20th century, Basem Awadallah, a Jordanian diplomat and politician, served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Finance in Jordan. He played a crucial role in shaping the country's economic and foreign policies.
These are just a few examples of notable figures who bore the name Basem throughout history. The name has endured for centuries, carrying with it a sense of joy, positivity, and intellectual curiosity, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and the diverse contributions of those who have carried it.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Basem over time
The chart below shows babies named Basem registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Basem, the clearest high point is 2009. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Basem by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Basem 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 | #4789 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Basem
- Benjamin 90,412
- Ben 36,356
- Bradley 30,230
- Brandon 26,411
- Billy 18,608
- Bobby 16,904
- Blake 16,337
- Bailey 16,014
- Brody 7,230
- Beau 6,722
- Barnaby 5,284
- Brodie 4,801
FAQ
Basem: questions and answers
How popular is the name Basem in the UK right now?
In 2021, Basem was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Basem most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Basem in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Basem?
An Arabic name meaning "smiling one" or "cheerful one".
How many people are called Basem in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Basem across the 2 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.