UK girl's name
Reema
A feminine Arabic name meaning "gazelle" or "white antelope".
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.
Reema is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Reema popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1819, with 16 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 25 births.
This profile covers 377 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 64% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 375 living people in the UK are called Reema. 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
- • Reema ranked #1819 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 16 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1997, when 25 girls were registered as Reema.
- • About 375 living people in the UK are estimated to have Reema as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#1819
2024
Births in 2024
16
Latest year
Peak year
1997
25 births
Estimated living
375
2026
Meaning
What does Reema mean?
The name Reema has its origins in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "raim," which means "white antelope." The name has been used in the Middle East and North Africa for centuries.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Reema dates back to the 7th century, when it was mentioned in an ancient Arabic text. The name gained popularity during the Islamic Golden Age, a period of cultural and scientific flourishing in the Middle East and North Africa.
In Islamic tradition, the name Reema is associated with purity, grace, and beauty, qualities that are often attributed to the white antelope. The name has been used by several notable figures throughout history.
One of the earliest famous individuals with the name Reema was Reema bint Munqidh (1095-1188), a medieval Arab writer and poet from Damascus. She is best known for her memoir, "The Book of Contemplation," which provides valuable insights into the life and culture of the time.
Another notable figure was Reema al-Sayyid (1892-1963), an Egyptian feminist and writer who played a significant role in the women's rights movement in Egypt. She founded several women's organizations and published numerous works advocating for women's education and empowerment.
In the modern era, Reema Lagoo (1958-2017) was a renowned Indian actress who appeared in numerous Bollywood films and television shows. She was widely acclaimed for her portrayal of maternal roles and received several awards for her performances.
Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud (born 1975) is a member of the Saudi royal family and a prominent advocate for women's rights. She has worked to promote education and empowerment for women in Saudi Arabia and has been recognized for her efforts.
Reema Juffali (born 1982) is a Saudi Arabian racing driver and the first woman from the Middle East to compete in international motorsports events. She has been a trailblazer for women in the traditionally male-dominated world of racing.
The name Reema has a rich history and cultural significance, particularly in the Arab and Islamic world. It has been borne by notable figures across various fields, from literature and feminism to acting and sports, reflecting the diverse contributions of individuals with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Reema over time
The chart below shows babies named Reema 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 Reema, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 16 births in 2024, compared with 25 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Reema by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Reema 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 | #2691 | 54 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2520 | 115 | 10 |
| 2000s | #1816 | 121 | 10 |
| 1990s | #980 | 87 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Reema
- 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
Reema: questions and answers
How popular is the name Reema in the UK right now?
In 2024, Reema was ranked #1819 for girls in England and Wales, with 16 births registered.
When was Reema most popular?
The peak year on record was 1997, with 25 babies registered as Reema in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Reema?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "gazelle" or "white antelope".
How many people are called Reema in the UK?
A total of 377 babies have been registered as Reema 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.