UK girl's name
Ozlem
A Turkish feminine name meaning "longing" or "desire".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ozlem is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Ozlem popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 8 births.
This profile covers 46 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1996 to 2011. 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 38% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 46 living people in the UK are called Ozlem. 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 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ozlem ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 8 girls were registered as Ozlem.
- • About 46 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ozlem as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
8 births
Estimated living
46
2026
Meaning
What does Ozlem mean?
The name Ozlem has its origins in the Turkish language and culture. It is derived from the Turkish word "ozlemek," which means "to yearn for" or "to long for." The name carries a sense of longing, desire, and nostalgia.
Ozlem has been a popular name in Turkey for centuries, with records of its usage dating back to the Ottoman Empire era. It was a name given to both males and females, although its usage has become more prevalent among women in recent times.
In the realm of literature, the name Ozlem is mentioned in several Ottoman-era literary works, including poetry and prose. However, its exact historical references and appearances in ancient texts or religious scriptures are not well-documented.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Ozlem can be found in the 16th century, with Ozlem Hatun, a prominent Ottoman lady-in-waiting and poet from the court of Suleiman the Magnificent. Born in the early 1500s, she was renowned for her literary contributions and her influential role in the Ottoman court.
Another notable historical figure with the name Ozlem is Ozlem Tekin, a Turkish writer and academic who lived from 1942 to 1986. She was a pioneering figure in Turkish literature, known for her experimental and avant-garde writing style, and her exploration of women's issues and social critique.
In the realm of sports, Ozlem Solakoglu, a Turkish track and field athlete born in 1997, has made a name for herself as a talented sprinter. She has represented Turkey in various international competitions and won multiple medals.
Ozlem Tureci, a German scientist of Turkish descent born in 1976, is another prominent figure with this name. She co-founded the biotechnology company BioNTech, which developed one of the first COVID-19 vaccines in collaboration with Pfizer.
Lastly, Ozlem Cekic, a Turkish singer and songwriter born in 1986, has gained popularity in the Turkish music industry with her powerful vocals and emotionally charged compositions.
While these are just a few examples, the name Ozlem has been carried by many remarkable individuals throughout history, each leaving their mark in their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural heritage.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ozlem over time
The chart below shows babies named Ozlem registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ozlem, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ozlem by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ozlem 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5785 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3478 | 29 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2878 | 14 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Ozlem
- Olivia 123,111
- Orla 10,799
- Olive 6,815
- Ophelia 4,939
- Ottilie 4,407
- Oliwia 2,608
- Ocean 1,811
- Orlaith 1,357
- Olivia-Rose 1,250
- Octavia 1,243
- Olivia-Grace 618
- Orlagh 608
FAQ
Ozlem: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ozlem in the UK right now?
In 2011, Ozlem was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ozlem most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 8 babies registered as Ozlem in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ozlem?
A Turkish feminine name meaning "longing" or "desire".
How many people are called Ozlem in the UK?
A total of 46 babies have been registered as Ozlem across the 10 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.