UK boy's name
Esam
A masculine Arabic name meaning "defender," "shield," or "protector.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Esam is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Esam popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4001, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 5 births.
This profile covers 35 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 2000 to 2022. 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 35 living people in the UK are called Esam. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Esam ranked #4001 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 5 boys were registered as Esam.
- • About 35 living people in the UK are estimated to have Esam as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4001
2022
Births in 2022
4
Latest year
Peak year
2004
5 births
Estimated living
35
2026
Meaning
What does Esam mean?
The name Esam has its origins in Arabic culture and language. It is derived from the Arabic word "ism" which means "name" or "designation". The name Esam holds a strong connection to the Islamic faith and is often associated with principles of honor, respect, and righteousness.
One of the earliest references to the name Esam can be found in the Islamic texts, particularly in the Hadith literature, which are the recorded sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad. The name is mentioned in several accounts, often in the context of individuals renowned for their piety and devotion to the faith.
In the 8th century, Esam ibn Malik al-Qurashi was a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist from Medina. He was highly regarded for his extensive knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and his contributions to the development of Islamic law.
During the 10th century, Esam al-Din Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Isfahani was a prominent Persian poet and writer. His poetic works were widely celebrated for their elegance and depth, and he is considered one of the most influential figures in Persian literature.
In the 12th century, Esam al-Din al-Isfahani was a renowned Islamic philosopher and theologian from Isfahan, Iran. He was known for his profound insights into the nature of existence and his influential writings on Islamic metaphysics.
Esam Pasha, born in 1805 in Egypt, was a prominent military leader and statesman during the reign of Muhammad Ali Pasha. He served as the governor of several provinces and played a crucial role in the modernization efforts of Egypt during the 19th century.
Another notable figure was Esam Anwar Youssef, a Syrian writer and intellectual born in 1937. He was a prolific author and literary critic, renowned for his contributions to the Arab literary landscape and his advocacy for human rights and social justice.
These examples illustrate the rich history and cultural significance of the name Esam, which has been carried by scholars, poets, philosophers, and influential figures throughout the centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the intellectual and cultural fabric of the Arab and Islamic world.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Esam over time
The chart below shows babies named Esam registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Esam, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2022, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Esam by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Esam 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 | #3996 | 8 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4281 | 11 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3173 | 16 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Esam
- Ethan 77,394
- Edward 53,212
- Elliot 23,450
- Elijah 22,369
- Ellis 19,358
- Elliott 16,964
- Evan 14,535
- Ezra 11,838
- Ewan 10,685
- Eli 8,126
- Elias 7,049
- Eric 6,654
FAQ
Esam: questions and answers
How popular is the name Esam in the UK right now?
In 2022, Esam was ranked #4001 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Esam most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 5 babies registered as Esam in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Esam?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "defender," "shield," or "protector.".
How many people are called Esam in the UK?
A total of 35 babies have been registered as Esam across the 9 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.