UK name, mostly girls
Shamim
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "fragrant" or "pleasantly aromatic".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 16 boys.
Shamim is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Shamim popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5730, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 6 births.
This profile covers 35 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 1997 to 2015. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 35 living people in the UK are called Shamim. 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 2016 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Shamim ranked #5730 for girls in England and Wales in 2015, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 6 girls were registered as Shamim.
- • Shamim is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 35 living people in the UK are estimated to have Shamim as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 68.6% of Shamim registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5730
2015
Births in 2015
3
Latest year
Peak year
2002
6 births
Estimated living
35
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Shamim
In England and Wales birth records, Shamim has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 31.4% of registrations are for boys and 68.6% 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.
Shamim registered for boys
- Ranked #2,220 in 2001
- 5 boys registered in 2001
- Peak: 1999 (7 births)
Shamim registered for girls
- Ranked #5,730 in 2015
- 3 girls registered in 2015
- Peak: 2002 (6 births)
Meaning
What does Shamim mean?
The name Shamim has its origins in the Arabic language, tracing back to the Middle Ages and the spread of Islam across the Middle East and North Africa. It is derived from the Arabic word "shamama," which means "to smell" or "to inhale." The name is therefore associated with fragrance, aroma, or pleasant scent.
In Islamic culture, the name Shamim carries a spiritual significance as it is often used to describe the sweet fragrance of paradise or the fragrance of the divine presence. It is a name frequently mentioned in religious texts and poetry, particularly in Sufi literature, where it is used as a metaphor for the soul's longing for the divine.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Shamim can be found in the works of the renowned Persian poet and mystic, Rumi (1207-1273 CE). In his poetic masterpiece, the Masnavi, Rumi uses the name Shamim as a symbolic representation of the soul's journey towards spiritual enlightenment.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Shamim. One of the most prominent was Shamim Ahmad Khan (1619-1668 CE), a Mughal nobleman and governor of the province of Bengal during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb. He was known for his administrative skills and played a crucial role in the expansion of Mughal rule in the region.
Another famous bearer of the name was Shamim Ara Begum (1868-1924), a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. She was a member of the All India Muslim League and actively participated in the struggle for freedom from British rule.
In the field of literature, Shamim Ahmed (1926-2005) was a renowned Bengali writer and journalist from Bangladesh. He is best known for his novels and short stories that explored the complexities of human relationships and the social and political climate of his time.
Shamim Siddiqi (1928-2010) was a Pakistani diplomat and scholar who served as the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan from 1986 to 1988. He played a crucial role in shaping Pakistan's foreign policy during a turbulent period in the region's history.
Lastly, Shamim Ara (1935-2018) was a celebrated Pakistani singer and actress. She was renowned for her contributions to the Pakistani film industry and her powerful vocal performances, which earned her the title of "Malika-e-Tarannum" (Queen of Melody).
These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have carried the name Shamim throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of the regions they belonged to.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Shamim over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Shamim in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Shamim, the clearest high point is 2002. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2015, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shamim by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Shamim 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 | #5730 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3673 | 22 | 5 |
| 1990s | #3641 | 10 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Shamim
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Shamim: questions and answers
How popular is the name Shamim in the UK right now?
In 2015, Shamim was ranked #5730 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Shamim most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 6 babies registered as Shamim in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Shamim?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "fragrant" or "pleasantly aromatic".
How many people are called Shamim in the UK?
A total of 35 babies have been registered as Shamim across the 9 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.