UK girl's name
Reem
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "beautiful gazelle".
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.
Reem is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Reem popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #478, with 85 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 85 births.
This profile covers 888 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales and NRS Scotland, 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.
Reem is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 900 living people in the UK are called Reem. 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
- • Reem ranked #478 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 85 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 85 girls were registered as Reem.
- • Reem ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #638 in 2024.
- • About 900 living people in the UK are estimated to have Reem as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#478
2024
Births in 2024
85
Latest year
Peak year
2024
85 births
Estimated living
900
2026
Meaning
What does Reem mean?
The name Reem has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, tracing back to the Middle Ages and the era of Islamic civilization. It is derived from the Arabic word "reem," which means "gazelle" or "deer," reflecting the grace and elegance associated with these animals in the region.
The name Reem holds significant historical references within the Islamic tradition. It is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as a symbol of beauty and purity. In Surah Al-Muddaththir (74:19), the word "reem" is used to describe a serene and tranquil setting, likening it to the calm demeanor of a gazelle.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Reem can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab poet and philosopher, Abu al-Ala al-Maari (973-1057 CE). He used the name metaphorically to describe the beauty and grace of a beloved. This poetic usage contributed to the popularity of the name among the Arabic-speaking world during the medieval period.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Reem. One of the most prominent was Reem bint al-Walid (570-640 CE), a renowned Arab poet and warrior from the early years of Islam. She was known for her bravery and skill in battle, as well as her eloquent poetry.
Another famous figure was Reem al-Samerai (1905-1989), an Iraqi artist and pioneer in the field of modern Arabic calligraphy. Her innovative approach to this traditional art form earned her international acclaim and recognition.
In the realm of literature, Reem Al-Rashed (1968-present) is a prominent Saudi Arabian author and journalist. Her works often explore themes of women's rights and societal issues within the context of the Arab world.
The name Reem has also been associated with figures in the world of sports. Reem Abullail (1979-present) is a renowned Egyptian squash player who has won numerous international tournaments and championships.
While the name Reem has its roots in the Arabic language, it has transcended cultural boundaries and gained popularity in various parts of the world, particularly in regions with significant Arab or Islamic influence.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Reem over time
The chart below shows babies named Reem 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 Reem, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 85 births in 2024, compared with 85 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Reem by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Reem 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 | #842 | 237 | 5 |
| 2010s | #1101 | 316 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1022 | 257 | 10 |
| 1990s | #1054 | 78 | 4 |
Geography
Where Reem is most common
The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Reem. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.
Reem ranks best in Scotland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #638 in 2024.
Across the UK
Reem in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (NRS)
#638 in 2024
5 years of NRS records, 17 total registered
Notable bearers
Famous people named Reem
-
Reem Kelani
musician
British Palestinian musician
1963-
Related
Names similar to Reem
- Ruby 60,551
- Rebecca 45,764
- Rosie 35,558
- Rachel 19,034
- Rose 18,043
- Robyn 14,556
- Rosa 6,236
- Rhiannon 6,180
- Rachael 4,702
- Rebekah 4,395
- Rhianna 4,177
- Ruth 4,118
FAQ
Reem: questions and answers
How popular is the name Reem in the UK right now?
In 2024, Reem was ranked #478 for girls in England and Wales, with 85 births registered.
When was Reem most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 85 babies registered as Reem in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Reem?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "beautiful gazelle".
How many people are called Reem in the UK?
A total of 888 babies have been registered as Reem across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 17 more in Scotland.
Where is Reem most common?
In the latest published local rankings, Reem ranks best in Scotland, where it placed #638 in 2024. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.
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.