NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Essam

Of Arabic origin, meaning "protection" or "safeguard".

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.

Essam is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Essam popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4270, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2019, with 7 births.

This profile covers 48 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 2003 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 57% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 48 living people in the UK are called Essam. 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

  • Essam ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2019, when 7 boys were registered as Essam.
  • About 48 living people in the UK are estimated to have Essam as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4270

2024

Births in 2024

4

Latest year

Peak year

2019

7 births

Estimated living

48

2026

Meaning

What does Essam mean?

The name Essam has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic root word "s-m-w," which means "to rise" or "to be elevated." The name is believed to have originated during the early Islamic era, around the 7th century AD, in the Arabian Peninsula.

One of the earliest known references to the name Essam can be found in ancient Arabic literature and poetry. It was often used as a descriptive term to honor individuals who had achieved great heights or made significant contributions to their communities.

The name Essam gained popularity among Arab Muslims, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa regions. It was often given to sons in the hopes that they would attain success, honor, and a respected position in society.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Essam. One of the earliest recorded examples is Essam Al-Din Ata Ibn Malik Al-Jouni, a renowned Islamic scholar and poet who lived in the 13th century (1183-1261 AD). He was known for his expertise in Arabic literature and his contributions to the field of Islamic jurisprudence.

Another prominent figure was Essam Al-Din Jafar, a 14th-century Persian mathematician and astronomer (1285-1349 AD). He made significant advancements in the field of trigonometry and authored several influential works on astronomy and mathematics.

In more recent times, Essam El-Hadary (born in 1973) is an Egyptian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Egyptian and African football history and held the record for the oldest player to appear in the FIFA World Cup until 2022.

Essam Abdel-Fattah (born in 1978) is an Egyptian political activist and computer programmer. He is one of the leading figures in the Egyptian revolution of 2011 and co-founded the grassroots movement "Kefaya" (Arabic for "Enough").

Essam El-Beik (born in 1957) is an Egyptian actor and comedian renowned for his roles in numerous films and television series. He is considered one of the most popular and influential comedians in the Arab world.

While the name Essam has its roots in the Arab world, it has also been adopted and used in various cultures and regions over time, reflecting the diverse and rich history associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Essam over time

The chart below shows babies named Essam registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 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 Essam, the clearest high point is 2019. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Essam
02457200320132024

Decades

Essam by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Essam 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 #4513 14 4
2010s #4029 29 7
2000s #2470 5 1

Related

Names similar to Essam

FAQ

Essam: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Essam was ranked #4270 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Essam most popular?

The peak year on record was 2019, with 7 babies registered as Essam in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Essam?

Of Arabic origin, meaning "protection" or "safeguard".

How many people are called Essam in the UK?

A total of 48 babies have been registered as Essam 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.