UK girl's name
Neelam
A feminine Hindu name derived from the Sanskrit word nila meaning "blue".
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.
Neelam is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Neelam popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 42 births.
This profile covers 303 England and Wales registrations across 21 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 10% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 301 living people in the UK are called Neelam. 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
- • Neelam ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 42 girls were registered as Neelam.
- • About 301 living people in the UK are estimated to have Neelam as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4843
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
1999
42 births
Estimated living
301
2026
Meaning
What does Neelam mean?
The name Neelam is of Sanskrit origin, derived from the Sanskrit word "nila," which means "blue" or "dark blue." This name is particularly popular in India and other parts of South Asia.
In ancient Hindu texts and scriptures, "Neelam" is often associated with the precious gemstone sapphire, which has a deep blue hue. The name is believed to symbolize beauty, purity, and tranquility, making it a popular choice for parents seeking a meaningful and auspicious name for their child.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Neelam can be found in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. In this epic, Neelam is mentioned as the name of a princess from the kingdom of Vidarbha. This reference dates back to the 4th century BCE, suggesting that the name has been in use for over two millennia.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Neelam. One of the most famous was Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1913-1996), who served as the sixth President of India from 1977 to 1982. Another notable figure was Neelam Krishnamoorthy (1938-2021), an accomplished Indian actress who appeared in numerous Bollywood films and television shows.
Neelam Saxena Chhiber (born 1951) is an Indian politician and former member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament. Neelam Katara (born 1977) is an Indian model and actress who has appeared in various films and television shows.
In the field of literature, Neelam Saran Gour (born 1953) is a renowned Indian novelist, poet, and critic who has written extensively in both Hindi and English. Her works explore themes of feminism, social justice, and cultural identity.
While the name Neelam has its roots in ancient Sanskrit, it continues to be a popular choice for parents in modern times, particularly in India and the South Asian diaspora. The name's association with beauty, purity, and gemstones makes it a timeless and meaningful choice for many families.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Neelam over time
The chart below shows babies named Neelam 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 Neelam, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 42 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Neelam by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Neelam 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 | #5256 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4889 | 20 | 5 |
| 2000s | #2160 | 124 | 10 |
| 1990s | #649 | 152 | 4 |
Notable bearers
Famous people named Neelam
-
Neelam Gill
model
British fashion model
1995-
Related
Names similar to Neelam
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Neelam: questions and answers
How popular is the name Neelam in the UK right now?
In 2024, Neelam was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Neelam most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 42 babies registered as Neelam in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Neelam?
A feminine Hindu name derived from the Sanskrit word nila meaning "blue".
How many people are called Neelam in the UK?
A total of 303 babies have been registered as Neelam across the 21 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.