NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Nesma

A feminine Arabic name meaning "gentle breeze" or "fragrant zephyr".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Nesma is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nesma popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4645, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 4 births.

This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2007 to 2022. 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.

Nesma is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 13 living people in the UK are called Nesma. 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 2023 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Nesma ranked #4645 for girls in England and Wales in 2022, with 4 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 4 girls were registered as Nesma.
  • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nesma as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4645

2022

Births in 2022

4

Latest year

Peak year

2022

4 births

Estimated living

13

2026

Meaning

What does Nesma mean?

The name Nesma has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, dating back several centuries. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "nasmat," which means "gentle breeze" or "soft wind." The name is associated with qualities such as gracefulness, delicacy, and gentleness.

Historically, the name Nesma has been prevalent in the Middle Eastern region, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Syria. It has been used by Arab families for generations, often bestowed upon daughters to signify their cherished nature and the hope for them to embody the attributes reflected in the name's meaning.

While there are no definitive historical references to the name Nesma in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been a part of the Arabic naming tradition for centuries. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the medieval period, although specific dates and individuals are not widely documented.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Nesma. One such person was Nesma al-Khuzai, a renowned Arab poet and scholar who lived in the 8th century CE. Her literary works and contributions to the field of Arabic literature have left a lasting impact.

Another prominent figure was Nesma bint Ismail, a 12th-century Sufi mystic and scholar from modern-day Iran. She was known for her spiritual teachings and her influential writings on Islamic mysticism.

In the 19th century, Nesma al-Saadawi was an Egyptian feminist and writer who played a significant role in advocating for women's rights and social reform in her country.

More recently, Nesma Mansi, born in 1986, is a contemporary Egyptian actress and television host who has gained popularity for her roles in various TV series and films.

Nesma Mahgoub, born in 1991, is a Sudanese-American fashion model and activist who has used her platform to raise awareness about issues such as diversity and body positivity.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Nesma, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural narratives associated with this graceful and gentle name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nesma over time

The chart below shows babies named Nesma registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2007 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Nesma, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2022, compared with 4 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Nesma
01234200720142022

Decades

Nesma by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nesma 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 #5069 7 2
2010s #5591 3 1
2000s #5201 3 1

Related

Names similar to Nesma

FAQ

Nesma: questions and answers

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

In 2022, Nesma was ranked #4645 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.

When was Nesma most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 4 babies registered as Nesma in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nesma?

A feminine Arabic name meaning "gentle breeze" or "fragrant zephyr".

How many people are called Nesma in the UK?

A total of 13 babies have been registered as Nesma across the 4 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.