UK boy's name
Kaleem
A masculine Arabic name meaning "one who speaks with authority".
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.
Kaleem is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kaleem popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2088, with 11 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 23 births.
This profile covers 356 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 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 48% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 353 living people in the UK are called Kaleem. 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
- • Kaleem ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 11 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 23 boys were registered as Kaleem.
- • About 353 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kaleem as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2088
2024
Births in 2024
11
Latest year
Peak year
2001
23 births
Estimated living
353
2026
Meaning
What does Kaleem mean?
The name Kaleem is an Arabic name that has its origins in the Middle East. It is derived from the Arabic word "kalima," which means "word" or "speech." The name is believed to have been in use since the early days of Islam, as it is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Muslims.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Kaleem dates back to the 7th century, when it was given to a companion of the Prophet Muhammad. This companion, known as Kaleem ibn al-Abbas, was known for his eloquence and mastery of the Arabic language.
Throughout history, the name Kaleem has been associated with scholars, poets, and writers. In the 9th century, there was a famous poet named Kaleem al-Nahrawani, who was known for his beautiful verses and his ability to capture the essence of human emotions in his work.
Another notable figure who bore the name Kaleem was Kaleem Siddiqui, a 20th-century scholar and activist from India. He was born in 1892 and dedicated his life to promoting the rights of Muslims in South Asia. He was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement and played a significant role in the formation of Pakistan.
In the field of literature, Kaleem Ajiz was a Pakistani poet and writer who lived from 1923 to 1997. He was known for his ghazals, a form of poetry that originated in Persia and became popular in South Asia. His work was celebrated for its depth, emotion, and mastery of the Urdu language.
One of the most famous figures to bear the name Kaleem in recent times was Kaleem Siddiqui, a Pakistani spiritual leader and scholar who lived from 1932 to 1994. He was the founder of the Dawat-e-Islami, a Islamic movement that aimed to promote the teachings of Islam through peaceful means. He was widely respected for his knowledge of Islamic teachings and his commitment to promoting peace and harmony.
While the name Kaleem has its roots in the Arabic language and Islamic culture, it has also been embraced by people of other faiths and backgrounds. The name is believed to carry a sense of eloquence, wisdom, and the ability to communicate effectively, which may be why it has endured throughout history and across various cultures.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kaleem over time
The chart below shows babies named Kaleem registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Kaleem, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 11 births in 2024, compared with 23 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kaleem by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kaleem 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 | #3130 | 33 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2099 | 114 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1228 | 158 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1090 | 51 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Kaleem
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kaleem: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kaleem in the UK right now?
In 2024, Kaleem was ranked #2088 for boys in England and Wales, with 11 births registered.
When was Kaleem most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 23 babies registered as Kaleem in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kaleem?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "one who speaks with authority".
How many people are called Kaleem in the UK?
A total of 356 babies have been registered as Kaleem across the 29 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.