NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Sharmarke

A masculine Somali name meaning "to help, to reform, or to improve".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Sharmarke is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Sharmarke popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4702, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 5 births.

This profile covers 26 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 1998 to 2019. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 26 living people in the UK are called Sharmarke. 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 2020 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Sharmarke ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 5 boys were registered as Sharmarke.
  • About 26 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sharmarke as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4702

2019

Births in 2019

3

Latest year

Peak year

1998

5 births

Estimated living

26

2026

Meaning

What does Sharmarke mean?

The name Sharmarke is of Somali origin and is believed to have originated in the Horn of Africa region during the medieval period. It is derived from the Arabic words "sharm" meaning "glory" or "honor" and "ark" meaning "summit" or "peak," suggesting a meaning along the lines of "peak of honor" or "glorious summit."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sharmarke can be found in the Somali oral tradition, where it was borne by a renowned warrior and leader from the 13th century. This Sharmarke was praised for his bravery and military prowess, and tales of his exploits were passed down through generations of Somali storytellers.

In the 16th century, a Somali scholar and Islamic jurist named Sharmarke ibn Ali al-Miknasi gained recognition for his contributions to the study of Islamic jurisprudence. His writings on the interpretations of Sharia law were widely respected and influenced legal thought in the region.

During the 19th century, a Somali poet and lyricist named Sharmarke Dhuxuliye rose to prominence for his powerful and evocative compositions. His works were celebrated for their skillful use of language and their ability to capture the essence of Somali culture and tradition.

In the early 20th century, Sharmarke Nur Gezay was a prominent Somali politician and diplomat who played a key role in the struggle for Somali independence. He served as the first Prime Minister of the Somali Republic after the country gained independence in 1960.

Another notable figure bearing the name Sharmarke was Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, who served as the second Prime Minister of Somalia from 1967 to 1969. He was assassinated in 1969, and his legacy remains an important part of Somali political history.

Throughout its history, the name Sharmarke has carried connotations of honor, respect, and leadership within Somali culture. Its enduring presence reflects the rich heritage and traditions of the Somali people.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Sharmarke over time

The chart below shows babies named Sharmarke registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Sharmarke, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Sharmarke
01345199820082019

Decades

Sharmarke by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sharmarke 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 #4702 3 1
2000s #3266 14 4
1990s #2250 9 2

Related

Names similar to Sharmarke

FAQ

Sharmarke: questions and answers

How popular is the name Sharmarke in the UK right now?

In 2019, Sharmarke was ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Sharmarke most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 5 babies registered as Sharmarke in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Sharmarke?

A masculine Somali name meaning "to help, to reform, or to improve".

How many people are called Sharmarke in the UK?

A total of 26 babies have been registered as Sharmarke across the 7 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.