UK girl's name
Basmah
An Arabic feminine name meaning "a smile" or "smiling".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Basmah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Basmah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4686, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 6 births.
This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2001 to 2019. 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 67% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Basmah. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Basmah ranked #4686 for girls in England and Wales in 2019, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2005, when 6 girls were registered as Basmah.
- • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Basmah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4686
2019
Births in 2019
4
Latest year
Peak year
2005
6 births
Estimated living
24
2026
Meaning
What does Basmah mean?
The name Basmah is of Arabic origin and has its roots in the word "basmah" which means "smile" or "fragrance" in Arabic. It is a feminine name that is believed to have been in use since ancient times in the Arab world.
The name Basmah can be found in various historical and religious texts, including the Quran and other Islamic scriptures. It is often associated with the concept of beauty, grace, and a pleasant demeanor.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Basmah can be found in the 7th century AD, during the early days of Islam. Basmah bint Hazn was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and is remembered for her piety and devotion to the faith.
Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Basmah. Basmah bint Saman (860-924 AD) was a renowned Arab poet and scholar from Andalusia, Spain, known for her elegant verses and contributions to literature.
In the 20th century, Princess Basmah bint Saud (1925-2011) was a member of the Saudi royal family and a prominent philanthropist. She was known for her charitable work and efforts in promoting education and women's rights in the region.
Basmah Bint Ahmed Al-Khalili (1923-1983) was a Kuwaiti writer and activist who played a significant role in the women's rights movement in Kuwait. She was a pioneering figure in the fight for gender equality and social reform.
Basmah Qaytani (born 1961) is a contemporary Saudi artist and sculptor, renowned for her innovative use of materials and her exploration of cultural identity in her artwork.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who bore the name Basmah, showcasing its enduring popularity and the diverse backgrounds of those who have carried this beautiful Arabic name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Basmah over time
The chart below shows babies named Basmah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2001 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Basmah, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2019, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Basmah by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Basmah 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4762 | 8 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3675 | 16 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Basmah
- Bethany 43,226
- Brooke 18,370
- Bella 14,112
- Bonnie 12,149
- Beatrice 11,306
- Bethan 7,968
- Beth 6,440
- Betsy 5,065
- Beatrix 4,317
- Billie 4,220
- Beau 3,231
- Bryony 3,167
FAQ
Basmah: questions and answers
How popular is the name Basmah in the UK right now?
In 2019, Basmah was ranked #4686 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Basmah most popular?
The peak year on record was 2005, with 6 babies registered as Basmah in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Basmah?
An Arabic feminine name meaning "a smile" or "smiling".
How many people are called Basmah in the UK?
A total of 24 babies have been registered as Basmah across the 6 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.