UK girl's name
Sheema
An Arabic name meaning "high-status" or "sublime".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sheema is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sheema popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5493, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 7 births.
This profile covers 41 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1996 to 2020. 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 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 41 living people in the UK are called Sheema. 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 2021 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sheema ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 7 girls were registered as Sheema.
- • About 41 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sheema as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5493
2020
Births in 2020
3
Latest year
Peak year
1998
7 births
Estimated living
41
2026
Meaning
What does Sheema mean?
The name Sheema has its origins in the Persian language, with roots dating back to ancient Persia, which is now modern-day Iran. It is believed to have been derived from the Persian word "shemā," which means "fragrance" or "aroma." The name's association with a pleasant scent suggests it was initially given as a term of endearment or admiration.
In Persian literature and poetry, the name Sheema often appears as a symbol of beauty, grace, and elegance. It is found in several historical texts and manuscripts from the region, although its exact origins are difficult to pinpoint due to the age of these documents.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Sheema can be traced back to the 12th century, when a Persian princess named Sheema Khatun was renowned for her intelligence and literary pursuits. She was a patron of the arts and played a significant role in promoting cultural exchange during the Seljuk Empire.
Another notable figure bearing the name was Sheema Qazvini, a 16th-century Persian scholar and poet. Her works, which covered a wide range of subjects including philosophy, astronomy, and literature, were highly regarded during her lifetime and continue to be studied by scholars today.
In the 18th century, Sheema Begum was a prominent figure in the Mughal Empire. She was a powerful and influential woman who played a crucial role in the court of Emperor Aurangzeb. Her political acumen and strategic alliances helped shape the course of events during that era.
Moving forward in history, Sheema Grewal was a trailblazing Indian-American entrepreneur and businesswoman. Born in 1945, she co-founded and served as the CEO of Sikh Communications, a successful publishing company that promoted Sikh culture and values. Her contributions to the Sikh community in North America were widely recognized.
In the literary world, Sheema Kalbasi is a celebrated Iranian-American author and poet. Born in 1972, her works explore themes of identity, displacement, and the immigrant experience. Her poetry collections have received critical acclaim and have been translated into multiple languages.
While the name Sheema has its roots in ancient Persia, it has transcended geographical boundaries and cultural barriers, becoming a name appreciated and adopted by various communities around the world. Its enduring presence throughout history serves as a testament to its beauty and significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sheema over time
The chart below shows babies named Sheema registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sheema, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sheema by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sheema 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 | #5493 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5771 | 12 | 4 |
| 2000s | #4600 | 6 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2867 | 20 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Sheema
- 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
Sheema: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sheema in the UK right now?
In 2020, Sheema was ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Sheema most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 7 babies registered as Sheema in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sheema?
An Arabic name meaning "high-status" or "sublime".
How many people are called Sheema in the UK?
A total of 41 babies have been registered as Sheema across the 11 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.