UK girl's name
Neelima
A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "blue lotus".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2000. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Neelima is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Neelima popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2000 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3912, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 5 births.
This profile covers 12 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 1996 to 2000. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 12 living people in the UK are called Neelima. 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 2001 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Neelima ranked #3912 for girls in England and Wales in 2000, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 5 girls were registered as Neelima.
- • About 12 living people in the UK are estimated to have Neelima as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3912
2000
Births in 2000
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
5 births
Estimated living
12
2026
Meaning
What does Neelima mean?
The name Neelima originates from the Sanskrit language and has its roots in ancient Indian culture. It is a combination of the Sanskrit words "neela," meaning blue, and "ima," meaning this, which together translates to "this blue" or "the blue one."
In Hindu mythology, the name Neelima is associated with the goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of wealth, prosperity, and beauty. According to legend, Lakshmi emerged from the cosmic ocean during the churning of the milky ocean, holding a blue lotus flower, which symbolizes spiritual enlightenment and purity.
The earliest recorded use of the name Neelima can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures and texts, such as the Vedas and the Puranas. These sacred texts often referenced the name in descriptions of deities, celestial beings, and mythological characters.
One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Neelima was Neelima Devi, a 16th-century Rajput princess and warrior from the Indian subcontinent. She was renowned for her bravery and military prowess, leading her own army into battle against invading forces.
Another notable bearer of the name was Neelima Ghosh, a pioneering Indian filmmaker and actress who lived from 1900 to 1975. She was one of the first women to establish herself in the Indian film industry, directing and starring in several influential silent films.
In the realm of literature, Neelima Dalmia was a celebrated Indian author and poet who lived from 1927 to 2017. Her works explored themes of feminism, social injustice, and the human condition, earning her numerous literary awards and accolades.
Neelima Azeem, born in 1958, is a renowned Indian actress and producer who has appeared in numerous Bollywood films and television shows. She is also known for her philanthropic work and advocacy for various social causes.
Neelima Rahim, born in 1964, is a prominent Pakistani painter and artist whose vibrant and abstract works have been exhibited globally. Her art often draws inspiration from traditional Islamic art forms and explores themes of identity and cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Neelima over time
The chart below shows babies named Neelima registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2000. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Neelima, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2000, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Neelima by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Neelima 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 | #3912 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2948 | 9 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Neelima
- 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
Neelima: questions and answers
How popular is the name Neelima in the UK right now?
In 2000, Neelima was ranked #3912 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Neelima most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 5 babies registered as Neelima in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Neelima?
A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "blue lotus".
How many people are called Neelima in the UK?
A total of 12 babies have been registered as Neelima 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.