NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Nima

Of Persian origin meaning "half" or "one-half".

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.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 56 girls.

Nima is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Nima popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2671, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 10 births.

This profile covers 154 England and Wales registrations across 29 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 153 living people in the UK are called Nima. 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

  • Nima ranked #2671 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 8 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2004, when 10 boys were registered as Nima.
  • Nima is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 153 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nima as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 73.3% of Nima registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2671

2024

Births in 2024

8

Latest year

Peak year

2004

10 births

Estimated living

153

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Nima

In England and Wales birth records, Nima has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 73.3% of registrations are for boys and 26.7% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

73% boys
27% girls
Boys154 (73.3%)Girls56 (26.7%)

Nima registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,671 in 2024
  • 8 boys registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2004 (10 births)

Nima registered for girls

  • Ranked #5,581 in 2021
  • 3 girls registered in 2021
  • Peak: 2004 (7 births)

Meaning

What does Nima mean?

The name Nima has its origins in the Persian language and culture, tracing back to ancient times. It is derived from the Persian word "neyma," which means "good fortune" or "blessing." The name was commonly used in the regions of present-day Iran, Afghanistan, and parts of Central Asia.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Nima can be found in the Shahnameh, the epic Persian poem written by Ferdowsi in the 10th century AD. The name appears in this literary masterpiece, indicating its long-standing presence in the Persian tradition.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Nima al-Din Abul-Rahman ibn Ibrahim al-Mustawfi al-Qazwini, a Persian historian and geographer, authored the famous work "Nuzhat al-Qulub" (Delight of the Hearts). His influence and scholarly contributions helped further cement the name's prominence in the region.

During the 14th century, Nima-yi Aruz-i Samarqandi, a renowned Persian poet and scholar from Samarkand, gained recognition for his works on Persian prosody and poetic meter. His name, Nima, reflects the enduring popularity of the moniker among literary figures of that era.

In the 20th century, one of the most celebrated Persian poets, Nima Yushij (1897-1960), played a pivotal role in modernizing Persian poetry. His innovative style and groundbreaking works earned him the title of "Father of Modern Persian Poetry," further elevating the name's cultural significance.

Another notable figure bearing the name Nima was Nima Yooshij (1924-2005), an Iranian film director and screenwriter known for his contributions to the Iranian New Wave cinema movement. His films, such as "The Deer" and "The Stranger and the Fog," gained critical acclaim and showcased his artistic vision.

Throughout history, the name Nima has been associated with individuals from various walks of life, including scholars, poets, artists, and historical figures, reflecting its enduring presence and cultural significance within the Persian-speaking world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nima over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Nima in England and Wales, 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 Nima, the clearest high point is 2004. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
0491317199620102024

Decades

Nima by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nima 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 #3792 24 5
2010s #3753 46 10
2000s #2543 58 10
1990s #1769 26 4

Related

Names similar to Nima

FAQ

Nima: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Nima was ranked #2671 for boys in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.

When was Nima most popular?

The peak year on record was 2004, with 10 babies registered as Nima in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nima?

Of Persian origin meaning "half" or "one-half".

How many people are called Nima in the UK?

A total of 154 babies have been registered as Nima across the 29 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.