UK name, mostly girls
Ibtisam
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "smiling" or "cheerful".
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.
Ibtisam is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Ibtisam popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 18 births.
This profile covers 192 England and Wales registrations across 26 recorded years from 1999 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 22% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 191 living people in the UK are called Ibtisam. 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
- • Ibtisam ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 18 girls were registered as Ibtisam.
- • About 191 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ibtisam as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 98.5% of Ibtisam registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4843
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2006
18 births
Estimated living
191
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Ibtisam
In England and Wales birth records, Ibtisam has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 1.5% of registrations are for boys and 98.5% 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.
Ibtisam registered for boys
- Ranked #4,527 in 2009
- 3 boys registered in 2009
- Peak: 2009 (3 births)
Ibtisam registered for girls
- Ranked #4,843 in 2024
- 4 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2006 (18 births)
Meaning
What does Ibtisam mean?
The name Ibtisam has its origins in the Arabic language. It is derived from the root word 'basama', which means to smile or laugh. The name is a combination of 'ib' and 'tisam', which together form the word 'ibtisam', meaning a smile or a grin.
The name can be traced back to the early Islamic era, around the 7th century CE. It was likely first used among the Arab tribes of the Arabian Peninsula, where Arabic was the predominant language. The name's association with happiness and joy made it a popular choice for newborn children.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ibtisam can be found in the writings of renowned Islamic scholars and poets from the medieval period. The 9th-century poet and scholar Al-Asma'i mentioned the name in his works, reflecting its usage during that time.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Ibtisam. One of the most famous was Ibtisam al-Tabari, a renowned female scholar and poet who lived in the 9th century CE. She was highly respected for her vast knowledge of Arabic literature and her contributions to the field of Islamic studies.
Another notable figure was Ibtisam bint Isa al-Hashimi, a princess from the Abbasid dynasty who lived in the 9th century CE. She was known for her patronage of the arts and her support for poets and scholars during her time.
In the modern era, Ibtisam Barakat (born 1950) is a Palestinian-American author and poet who has written extensively about her experiences growing up in Palestine and living as a refugee. Her memoir, "Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood," received critical acclaim and brought attention to the Palestinian narrative.
Ibtisam Bouhaoui (born 1978) is a Moroccan-Dutch actress and model who has appeared in several Dutch films and television shows. She is known for her work in promoting diversity and representation in the entertainment industry.
Ibtisam Salim Mustafa (born 1950) is an Iraqi Kurdish politician and women's rights activist. She has been a prominent figure in the Kurdish political movement and has worked to promote the rights of women and minority groups in Iraq.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Ibtisam, a name deeply rooted in Arabic culture and language, reflecting the joy and happiness associated with its meaning.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ibtisam over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Ibtisam in England and Wales, from 1999 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 Ibtisam, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 18 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ibtisam by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ibtisam 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 | #4939 | 19 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3191 | 84 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2557 | 84 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2770 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ibtisam
- Isabella 58,822
- Isla 51,854
- Isabelle 46,163
- Imogen 33,758
- Ivy 23,306
- Isabel 20,895
- Isobel 19,706
- Iris 10,353
- India 8,371
- Iqra 4,452
- Indie 3,873
- Iona 3,682
FAQ
Ibtisam: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ibtisam in the UK right now?
In 2024, Ibtisam was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Ibtisam most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 18 babies registered as Ibtisam in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ibtisam?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "smiling" or "cheerful".
How many people are called Ibtisam in the UK?
A total of 192 babies have been registered as Ibtisam across the 26 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.