NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Wasim

A masculine Arabic name meaning "prominent" or "accomplished".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Wasim is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Wasim popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 34 births.

This profile covers 324 England and Wales registrations across 27 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. 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 9% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 321 living people in the UK are called Wasim. 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 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Wasim ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 34 boys were registered as Wasim.
  • About 321 living people in the UK are estimated to have Wasim as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4991

2023

Births in 2023

3

Latest year

Peak year

1997

34 births

Estimated living

321

2026

Meaning

What does Wasim mean?

The name Wasim finds its origins in the Arabic language, with its roots tracing back to ancient times. It is derived from the Arabic word "wasim," which means "handsome" or "beautiful." This name was likely given to newborn boys as a way to wish them a life of beauty and grace.

In the early days of Islam, the name Wasim gained popularity among Arabs, particularly in the Middle Eastern region. It is believed to have been used as early as the 7th century AD, during the time of the Islamic Golden Age, when Arabic culture and literature flourished.

The name Wasim is not directly mentioned in religious scriptures or ancient texts, but its meaning and usage were likely influenced by the values and traditions of the time, which placed great importance on physical beauty and eloquence.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Wasim dates back to the 9th century AD, when a renowned Arab poet named Wasim ibn Ubayd al-Asadi lived. He was known for his eloquent verses and is considered one of the most influential poets of his era.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Wasim, including:

1. Wasim Akram (born 1966), a former Pakistani cricketer and captain, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the sport.

2. Wasim Sajjad (1941-2020), a renowned Pakistani diplomat and former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan.

3. Wasim Barelvi (1909-1976), a renowned Urdu poet and writer from British India, known for his contributions to Urdu literature.

4. Wasim Mukhtar (born 1971), a Pakistani film actor and director who has appeared in numerous Lollywood productions.

5. Wasim Akhtar (born 1949), a Pakistani writer and poet, known for his contributions to Urdu literature and his activism for human rights.

The name Wasim has transcended cultural boundaries and has been adopted by people of various backgrounds, while still retaining its Arabic roots and the essence of its meaning.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Wasim over time

The chart below shows babies named Wasim registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Wasim, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 34 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Wasim
09172634199620092023

Decades

Wasim by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Wasim 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 #4079 16 4
2010s #3411 56 9
2000s #1439 130 10
1990s #589 122 4

Notable bearers

Famous people named Wasim

  • Wasim Khan

    cricketer

    English cricketer (born 1971)

    1971-

Related

Names similar to Wasim

FAQ

Wasim: questions and answers

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

In 2023, Wasim was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Wasim most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 34 babies registered as Wasim in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Wasim?

A masculine Arabic name meaning "prominent" or "accomplished".

How many people are called Wasim in the UK?

A total of 324 babies have been registered as Wasim across the 27 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.