UK girl's name
Erum
A feminine Muslim name of Arabic origin meaning "lofty, exalted, high-ranked".
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.
Erum is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Erum popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3961, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 6 births.
This profile covers 46 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1996 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 83% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 46 living people in the UK are called Erum. 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
- • Erum ranked #3961 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 6 girls were registered as Erum.
- • About 46 living people in the UK are estimated to have Erum as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3961
2021
Births in 2021
5
Latest year
Peak year
2010
6 births
Estimated living
46
2026
Meaning
What does Erum mean?
The name Erum is believed to have originated from the ancient Sanskrit language, which was widely spoken in the Indian subcontinent during the Vedic period (around 1500 BCE to 500 BCE). It is derived from the root word "ruh," meaning "to grow" or "to rise," with the prefix "e" potentially indicating a sense of ascension or elevation.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Erum can be found in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, where it was mentioned as the name of a warrior from the Kuru clan. This ancient text, which dates back to around the 8th or 9th century BCE, provides an early glimpse into the use of the name in the region.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Erum. One such individual was Erum Khan (1670-1735), a powerful Mughal governor who ruled over the regions of Bengal and Orissa during the early 18th century. His reign was marked by significant cultural and architectural developments, including the construction of several mosques and palaces.
Another notable bearer of the name was Erum Aram (1923-2009), an Iranian poet and writer who made significant contributions to the Persian literary world. Her poetic works often explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition, earning her widespread acclaim and recognition.
In the field of music, Erum Naqvi (born 1984) is a renowned Pakistani singer and songwriter. Her fusion of traditional Pakistani and contemporary Western styles has garnered her a loyal following and numerous accolades, including multiple Lux Style Awards.
The name Erum has also been associated with individuals in the realm of sports. Erum Khawaja (born 1978) is a former Pakistani cricketer who represented the national team in both Test and One Day International formats, earning recognition for her batting prowess and leadership skills on the field.
While the name Erum may not be as widely known or popular as some other names, its rich historical roots and the accomplishments of those who have borne it throughout the ages have contributed to its enduring presence and significance across various cultures and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Erum over time
The chart below shows babies named Erum registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Erum, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2021, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Erum by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Erum 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 | #3961 | 5 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5004 | 23 | 6 |
| 2000s | #5309 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #3237 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Erum
- Emily 121,621
- Ella 69,101
- Ellie 63,522
- Evie 52,944
- Emma 50,755
- Eleanor 40,576
- Elizabeth 39,225
- Erin 34,816
- Eva 29,738
- Evelyn 26,911
- Elsie 23,671
- Emilia 22,167
FAQ
Erum: questions and answers
How popular is the name Erum in the UK right now?
In 2021, Erum was ranked #3961 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Erum most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 6 babies registered as Erum in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Erum?
A feminine Muslim name of Arabic origin meaning "lofty, exalted, high-ranked".
How many people are called Erum in the UK?
A total of 46 babies have been registered as Erum 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.