NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Kalum

A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "valuable".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Kalum is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kalum popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4812, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 32 births.

This profile covers 354 England and Wales registrations across 22 recorded years from 1996 to 2017. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, 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 9% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 374 living people in the UK are called Kalum. 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 2018 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Kalum ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1996, when 32 boys were registered as Kalum.
  • Kalum ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #329 in 2009.
  • About 374 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kalum as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4812

2017

Births in 2017

3

Latest year

Peak year

1996

32 births

Estimated living

374

2026

Meaning

What does Kalum mean?

The given name Kalum has its origins in the Arabic language, tracing back to the 7th century CE. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "kalam," which translates to "speech" or "word." This linguistic connection suggests that the name may have been originally associated with individuals who were skilled orators, poets, or scholars of language.

Interestingly, the name Kalum can also be linked to the Arabic word "qalb," meaning "heart." This alternative interpretation could imply that the name was bestowed upon individuals who exhibited qualities of courage, compassion, or sincerity. The multifaceted nature of the name's potential origins adds to its richness and depth.

In the early Islamic era, the name Kalum appeared in several historical records and texts, though its usage was relatively limited. One notable figure bearing this name was Kalum ibn Shaddad, a 9th-century Arab poet and scholar from Baghdad. His contributions to Arabic literature and his mastery of language aligned with the name's linguistic origins.

As time progressed, the name Kalum gained traction in various regions influenced by Islamic culture and the Arabic language. One prominent individual who carried this name was Kalum al-Nabulsi, a 17th-century Syrian scholar and mystic known for his literary works on Sufism. His impact on the spiritual and intellectual realms of his time further enriched the legacy of the name.

In the 19th century, the name Kalum found its way into the Indian subcontinent, likely through cultural and linguistic exchanges between the Middle East and South Asia. One notable figure was Kalum Khan, a 19th-century ruler of the Rajput Dynasty in present-day Pakistan. His leadership and influence during this period added another layer of historical significance to the name.

Another individual of note was Kalum Garib, a 20th-century Sufi poet and mystic from Pakistan. His profound spiritual teachings and poetic works contributed to the cultural tapestry of the region, further elevating the name's association with wisdom and contemplation.

While the name Kalum may not have been as widespread as some other names throughout history, its rich linguistic roots, historical references, and association with influential figures across various fields have imbued it with a deep sense of meaning and cultural significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Kalum over time

The chart below shows babies named Kalum registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Kalum, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 32 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Kalum
08162432199620062017

Decades

Kalum by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kalum 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 #3727 38 8
2000s #1100 197 10
1990s #592 119 4

Geography

Where Kalum is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Kalum. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.

Kalum ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #329 in 2009.

Northern Ireland
4
Scotland
4

Across the UK

Kalum in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland (NRS)

#535 in 2008

5 years of NRS records, 17 total registered

Northern Ireland (NISRA)

#329 in 2009

2 years of NISRA records, 7 total registered

Related

Names similar to Kalum

FAQ

Kalum: questions and answers

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

In 2017, Kalum was ranked #4812 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Kalum most popular?

The peak year on record was 1996, with 32 babies registered as Kalum in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Kalum?

A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "valuable".

How many people are called Kalum in the UK?

A total of 354 babies have been registered as Kalum across the 22 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 17 more in Scotland and 7 in Northern Ireland.

Where is Kalum most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Kalum ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #329 in 2009. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.

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.