NameCensus.

UK name, mostly girls

Elham

A feminine Arabic name meaning "inspiration" or "divinely inspired".

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.

Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 85 boys.

Elham is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Elham popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2574, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2020, with 12 births.

This profile covers 115 England and Wales registrations across 21 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 83% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 114 living people in the UK are called Elham. 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

  • Elham ranked #2574 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2020, when 12 girls were registered as Elham.
  • Elham is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 114 living people in the UK are estimated to have Elham as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 57.5% of Elham registrations are for girls.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2574

2024

Births in 2024

10

Latest year

Peak year

2020

12 births

Estimated living

114

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Elham

In England and Wales birth records, Elham has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 42.5% of registrations are for boys and 57.5% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

43% boys
58% girls
Boys85 (42.5%)Girls115 (57.5%)

Elham registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,443 in 2024
  • 9 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2022 (9 births)

Elham registered for girls

  • Ranked #2,574 in 2024
  • 10 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2020 (12 births)

Meaning

What does Elham mean?

Elham is a Persian name with origins rooted in ancient Iran. It is derived from the Middle Persian word "Ehlām," meaning "ray of light" or "radiance." This name holds great significance in Persian culture and has been used since ancient times.

The earliest recorded use of the name Elham can be traced back to the Sassanid Empire, which ruled over ancient Persia from the 3rd to the 7th century CE. During this period, the name appeared in various historical records and inscriptions, often associated with individuals of noble birth or those holding important positions in the royal court.

In the realm of Persian literature, the name Elham has been mentioned in several works, including the celebrated epic poem "Shahnameh" (Book of Kings) by the renowned poet Ferdowsi. This epic, composed in the late 10th century CE, contains references to characters bearing the name Elham, further solidifying its historical roots.

Throughout the centuries, several notable figures have borne the name Elham. One prominent example is Elham Arya, a renowned Persian poet and scholar who lived during the 11th century CE. Her poetic works have been widely celebrated and have left a lasting impact on Persian literature.

Another notable figure is Elham Rokni, a prominent Iranian artist and calligrapher from the 16th century CE. Her intricate calligraphic works adorned numerous mosques and palaces throughout Iran, earning her widespread recognition and admiration.

In the realm of religion, the name Elham has also been associated with several influential figures. Elham al-Nabulsi was a prominent Islamic scholar and Sufi mystic who lived in the 17th century CE. His teachings and writings have had a profound impact on the spiritual traditions of the region.

Moving forward in time, Elham Maleki was a celebrated Iranian painter and artist who lived during the 19th century CE. Her vibrant and expressive works captured the essence of Persian culture and have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums around the world.

Elham Gheytanchi, born in 1983, is a contemporary Iranian-American social activist and author. Her work has focused on promoting human rights, gender equality, and social justice, making her a prominent voice in modern times.

These are just a few examples of the many notable figures throughout history who have borne the name Elham, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Persian culture, literature, art, and intellectual discourse.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Elham over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Elham in England and Wales, 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 Elham, the clearest high point is 2020. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 12 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
05101419199620102024

Decades

Elham by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Elham 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 #3166 39 5
2010s #4090 42 8
2000s #3942 26 6
1990s #3254 8 2

Related

Names similar to Elham

FAQ

Elham: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Elham was ranked #2574 for girls in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.

When was Elham most popular?

The peak year on record was 2020, with 12 babies registered as Elham in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Elham?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "inspiration" or "divinely inspired".

How many people are called Elham in the UK?

A total of 115 babies have been registered as Elham across the 21 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.