UK girl's name
Irem
A feminine Arabic name meaning "elevated location" or "lush garden paradise.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Irem is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Irem popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4001, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 17 births.
This profile covers 160 England and Wales registrations across 23 recorded years from 1997 to 2019. 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 29% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 159 living people in the UK are called Irem. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Irem ranked #4001 for girls in England and Wales in 2019, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 17 girls were registered as Irem.
- • About 159 living people in the UK are estimated to have Irem as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4001
2019
Births in 2019
5
Latest year
Peak year
2008
17 births
Estimated living
159
2026
Meaning
What does Irem mean?
The name Irem derives from the Arabic word 'Iram', which means 'paradise' or 'heaven'. Its origin can be traced back to the Quran, where it is mentioned as the name of an ancient city or garden known for its beauty and splendor. The name is believed to have been in use in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula for centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Irem can be found in the work of the 9th-century Arab historian Al-Tabari, who wrote about the legendary city of Iram Dhat al-Imad. This city was described as being adorned with lofty buildings and towering pillars, and was said to have been destroyed by God for the sins of its inhabitants.
In the 12th century, the Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi wrote about the fabled city of Iram in his epic poem "Haft Peykar". The poet depicted Iram as a paradise on Earth, filled with lush gardens and magnificent palaces.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Irem. One of the earliest was Irem Khanim (1571-1655), a Crimean princess who married the Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I and became the mother of two future sultans, Osman II and Murad IV.
Another noteworthy figure was Irem Tuzun (1900-1972), a Turkish actress and singer who was a pioneering figure in the early days of Turkish cinema and theater. She is considered one of the most influential artists of her time and was renowned for her performances in both dramatic and comedic roles.
In the realm of literature, Irem Uzunidis (1941-2019) was a prominent Turkish novelist and playwright. Her works often explored themes of love, identity, and the complexities of human relationships. She was widely acclaimed for her lyrical writing style and her ability to capture the nuances of everyday life.
The name Irem has also been associated with individuals in the field of science and technology. Irem Aksu (born 1964) is a Turkish computer scientist and entrepreneur who co-founded the software company Panorama Software. She has made significant contributions to the development of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and has been recognized for her innovative work in the field of software engineering.
In the world of sports, Irem Karamete (born 1985) is a Turkish professional basketball player who has represented the Turkish national team and played for several clubs in Turkey and abroad. She is known for her skill and determination on the court, and has been an inspiration to many young athletes in her home country.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Irem over time
The chart below shows babies named Irem registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Irem, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2019, compared with 17 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Irem by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Irem 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3722 | 68 | 10 |
| 2000s | #2695 | 77 | 10 |
| 1990s | #2906 | 15 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Irem
- 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
Irem: questions and answers
How popular is the name Irem in the UK right now?
In 2019, Irem was ranked #4001 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Irem most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 17 babies registered as Irem in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Irem?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "elevated location" or "lush garden paradise.".
How many people are called Irem in the UK?
A total of 160 babies have been registered as Irem across the 23 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.