NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Khalim

A masculine Arabic name meaning "gentle" or "friend".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2002. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Khalim is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Khalim popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2002 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3225, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 4 births.

This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1998 to 2002. 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Khalim. 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 2003 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Khalim ranked #3225 for boys in England and Wales in 2002, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 4 boys were registered as Khalim.
  • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Khalim as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3225

2002

Births in 2002

3

Latest year

Peak year

1998

4 births

Estimated living

10

2026

Meaning

What does Khalim mean?

The name Khalim is of Arabic origin, deriving from the word "khalim" which means "friend" or "companion." It emerged in the Middle East during the early centuries of Islam, around the 7th century CE.

The name Khalim has deep roots in Islamic culture and tradition. It is believed to have been used by some of the early Islamic scholars and thinkers, though specific historical references are scarce. However, the name is thought to have gained popularity among Muslim communities as a way to honor the virtues of friendship and companionship, which are highly valued in Islamic teachings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Khalim can be found in the writings of the renowned Muslim philosopher and polymath, Al-Farabi, who lived from 872 to 950 CE. He is often referred to as the "Second Teacher" after Aristotle, and his works had a significant influence on the development of Islamic philosophy and science.

Another notable figure who bore the name Khalim was the 12th-century Sufi mystic and poet, Khalim al-Din al-Attar. He was born in Nishapur, Persia (present-day Iran) in 1145 CE and is best known for his epic poem, "The Conference of the Birds," which explored the spiritual journey of the soul towards union with the divine.

In the 13th century, there was a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist named Khalim ibn Ismail al-Juwayni. He was born in Nisha, Persia, in 1226 CE and served as the chief judge of Nishapur. Al-Juwayni made significant contributions to the field of Islamic jurisprudence and was widely respected for his knowledge and wisdom.

Moving forward in history, the name Khalim can also be found among Ottoman rulers and noblemen. One such figure was Khalim Pasha, who served as the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire from 1683 to 1688 CE. He played a crucial role in the Ottoman-Habsburg wars and was known for his military prowess and leadership abilities.

In more recent times, the name Khalim has been carried by various intellectuals, artists, and public figures across the Arab world. For instance, Khalim Mahmoud was an Egyptian writer and political activist born in 1920 CE. He was known for his leftist views and his advocacy for social justice and workers' rights.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Khalim throughout history. While the name may not be as widely known as some others, it holds deep cultural and spiritual significance within the Islamic tradition, reflecting the importance of friendship, companionship, and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Khalim over time

The chart below shows babies named Khalim registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2002. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Khalim, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2002, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Khalim
01234199820002002

Decades

Khalim by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Khalim 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
2000s #3225 3 1
1990s #2681 7 2

Related

Names similar to Khalim

FAQ

Khalim: questions and answers

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

In 2002, Khalim was ranked #3225 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Khalim most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 4 babies registered as Khalim in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Khalim?

A masculine Arabic name meaning "gentle" or "friend".

How many people are called Khalim in the UK?

A total of 10 babies have been registered as Khalim across the 3 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.