UK boy's name
Khaleem
A masculine Arabic name meaning "gentle, forbearing, or calm".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Khaleem is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Khaleem popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 8 births.
This profile covers 27 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1997 to 2021. 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 27 living people in the UK are called Khaleem. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Khaleem ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 8 boys were registered as Khaleem.
- • About 27 living people in the UK are estimated to have Khaleem as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
8 births
Estimated living
27
2026
Meaning
What does Khaleem mean?
The given name Khaleem has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to the early Islamic period. The name is derived from the Arabic root word "khalim," which means "friend" or "companion." This linguistic connection suggests that the name carries a connotation of friendship, camaraderie, and loyalty.
During the 7th century, when Islam was emerging as a major religion, the name Khaleem gained popularity among the Arab population. It is believed to have been used as a name for those who were considered close friends or companions of the Prophet Muhammad or other prominent figures of that time. The name's association with friendship and companionship made it a fitting choice for individuals who embodied these qualities.
Historically, the name Khaleem has been mentioned in various Islamic texts and records, although specific references are scarce. Some scholars suggest that it may have been mentioned in early Islamic literature, such as the hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) or biographical accounts of the Prophet's companions. However, concrete evidence of these mentions is limited.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Khaleem was Khaleem ibn Walid, a prominent Arab poet and scholar who lived in the 8th century CE. He was renowned for his contributions to Arabic literature and his mastery of the Arabic language. Another notable figure was Khaleem ibn Ishaq, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist from the 9th century CE, who made significant contributions to the field of Islamic jurisprudence.
In the 12th century, Khaleem al-Baghdadi, a renowned Islamic philosopher and theologian, gained recognition for his works on metaphysics and the reconciliation of Islamic teachings with Greek philosophy. His writings had a lasting impact on the intellectual discourse of the time.
During the 14th century, Khaleem al-Dimashqi, a renowned Syrian historian and geographer, wrote extensively about the history and geography of the Islamic world. His works, such as "Nukhbat al-Dahr fi 'Aja'ib al-Barr wa al-Bahr" (The Cream of the Age Concerning the Marvels of the Land and Sea), provided valuable insights into the cultural and intellectual landscape of the era.
Another notable figure was Khaleem ibn Abi Bakr al-Qurashi, a 16th-century Ottoman scholar and jurist known for his contributions to Islamic law and jurisprudence. His works were widely studied and respected within the Ottoman Empire and beyond.
These are just a few examples of individuals who carried the name Khaleem throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields, including literature, scholarship, philosophy, and law. The name's connection to friendship and companionship has endured over the centuries, making it a meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with deep cultural and historical significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Khaleem over time
The chart below shows babies named Khaleem registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Khaleem, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Khaleem by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Khaleem 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 | #4789 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4231 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2062 | 17 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Khaleem
- 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
Khaleem: questions and answers
How popular is the name Khaleem in the UK right now?
In 2021, Khaleem was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Khaleem most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 8 babies registered as Khaleem in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Khaleem?
A masculine Arabic name meaning "gentle, forbearing, or calm".
How many people are called Khaleem in the UK?
A total of 27 babies have been registered as Khaleem across the 6 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.