UK boy's name
Rem
A feminine name of French origin meaning "remedy" or "balsam".
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.
Rem is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Rem popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4647, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2011 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.
Rem is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Rem. 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
- • Rem ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 3 boys were registered as Rem.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Rem as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4647
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Rem mean?
The name Rem is believed to have originated from the Latin word "remus," which means "oar" or "paddle." This suggests that the name may have been associated with occupations related to boating or seafaring in ancient Roman culture. However, the exact origin and meaning of the name is not entirely clear.
In early Christian tradition, there is a record of a saint named Remigius, who lived in the 5th century AD and was the Bishop of Reims. He is known for converting Clovis, the king of the Franks, to Christianity. This early association with a prominent figure in the Church may have contributed to the name's popularity among Christians in subsequent centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rem dates back to the 12th century, when Rem van Winsum, a Dutch nobleman, was mentioned in historical records from the Netherlands. Another notable figure from this period was Rem Koolhaas, a Dutch architect and urban planner active in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
In the 16th century, Rem Petri was a Swedish clergyman and reformer who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation in Sweden. Around the same time, Rem Aemilii (1515-1574) was a Dutch jurist and professor of law at the University of Louvain.
Moving into the 17th century, Rem Brandt (1610-1669) was a Dutch painter and etcher, considered one of the greatest artists in the Dutch Golden Age. His son, Titus van Rijn (1641-1668), was also a notable painter who often used the name Rem.
In more recent history, Rem Koolhaas (born 1944) is a renowned Dutch architect, architectural theorist, and urbanist, known for his innovative and unconventional designs. His works have had a significant impact on contemporary architecture.
While these are just a few examples, the name Rem has been used throughout history, often associated with individuals from the Netherlands, Germany, and other parts of northern Europe. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Roman and early Christian traditions, although its precise meaning and significance remain somewhat enigmatic.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Rem by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Rem 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 | #4647 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Rem
- Ryan 68,692
- Riley 37,992
- Robert 27,462
- Reuben 25,122
- Rhys 24,418
- Reece 24,329
- Rory 21,870
- Roman 16,609
- Ronnie 16,445
- Reggie 14,684
- Rowan 14,371
- Ralph 8,892
FAQ
Rem: questions and answers
How popular is the name Rem in the UK right now?
In 2011, Rem was ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Rem most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 3 babies registered as Rem in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Rem?
A feminine name of French origin meaning "remedy" or "balsam".
How many people are called Rem in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Rem across the 1 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.