NameCensus.

UK surname

Kaleem

Arabic occupational surname referring to one who speaks, preaches or instructs.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Harrow, Stoke-on-Trent and Woking.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kaleem is 305 in 2014. Compared with 1881, the name has changed.

1881 census count

-

Modern count

301

2016, ranked #14,696

Peak year

2014

305 bearers

Map years

2

2006 to 2016

Key insights

  • The latest modern count shown here is 301 in 2016, ranked #14,696.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students.

Kaleem surname distribution map

The map shows where the Kaleem surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Kaleem surname density by area, 2016 modern.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kaleem over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1997 modern 94 #27,781
1998 modern 97 #28,054
1999 modern 103 #27,305
2000 modern 124 #24,469
2001 modern 128 #23,665
2002 modern 154 #21,531
2003 modern 162 #20,624
2004 modern 162 #20,756
2005 modern 179 #19,467
2006 modern 194 #18,627
2007 modern 223 #17,248
2008 modern 226 #17,238
2009 modern 248 #16,509
2010 modern 261 #16,294
2011 modern 281 #15,276
2012 modern 293 #14,742
2013 modern 291 #15,067
2014 modern 305 #14,678
2015 modern 293 #15,005
2016 modern 301 #14,696

Geography

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Where Kaleems are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Harrow, Stoke-on-Trent, Woking, Kirklees and Three Rivers. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Harrow 011 Harrow
2 Stoke-on-Trent 015 Stoke-on-Trent
3 Woking 004 Woking
4 Kirklees 031 Kirklees
5 Three Rivers 007 Three Rivers

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kaleem

These lists show first names that appear often with the Kaleem surname in historical and recent records.

Historical female names

No Forenames Found

Historical male names

No Forenames Found

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kaleem

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kaleem, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students

Nationally, the Kaleem surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Challenged Multicultural Communities and Students, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Kaleem household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Married couples with dependent children are common in this Group, with many parents born in Africa or the EU. The representation of residents amongst different ethnic minority groups is high, particularly for individuals of Pakistani ethnic group. For many residents, English is not their main language, and affiliation to Christian religions is less common. Privately rented terrace properties predominate and levels of overcrowding are high. Part time work is common, with many employed in elementary occupations and sales and customer services. There are also many students living within these areas, and overall unemployment levels are high.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburban Asian Communities

Group

Settled Semi-Detached Asians

Within London, Kaleem is most associated with areas classed as Settled Semi-Detached Asians, part of Suburban Asian Communities. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These residents share Supergroup characteristics of large (non-Chinese) Asian populations but those identifying as Bangladeshi are notably absent. Many residents were born in the UK, while other more recent migrants have African birthplaces. Semi-detached housing, much of it owner occupied, prevails in these suburban residential locations.

Wider London pattern

Many residents of these neighbourhoods are of (non-Chinese) Asian descent, with many identifying as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. Neighbourhoods are located across large areas of suburban west, north-east and south London. Detached, semi-detached and terraced houses are more prevalent than flats and socially rented housing is uncommon. Few residents live in communal establishments. Many families have dependent children, sometimes in overcrowded accommodation, and few households are ethnically mixed. Marriage rates are above the London average. The even age distribution, relative absence of individuals living alone and frequent incidence of households with children suggests that multi-generation households may be relatively common. Employment is often in skilled trades, elementary, sales and customer service occupations, and roles as process, plant, and machine operatives. Manufacturing and construction are well represented, along with employment in distribution, hotels, and restaurants. Many adults have only level 1, 2, or apprenticeship qualifications. English is not used at home by some residents. Religious affiliation is above average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kaleem is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kaleem falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kaleem is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Kaleem, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kaleem

The surname Kaleem traces its origins to the Arabic language and the Islamic faith. It is believed to have originated in the Middle East, particularly in the Arabian Peninsula, during the early days of Islam in the 7th century.

The name Kaleem is derived from the Arabic word "kalima," which means "word" or "speech." It is closely associated with the term "Kalimatullah," meaning "the Word of God," a reference to the Islamic belief that the Quran is the literal word of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Kaleem can be found in historical texts and manuscripts from the 8th century, where it was used as a descriptive title or epithet for individuals who were known for their eloquence, wisdom, and ability to communicate effectively.

In the 10th century, the name Kaleem gained prominence as a surname among Arab scholars, poets, and religious leaders. The earliest known person to bear the surname Kaleem was Abu al-Qasim al-Kaleem, a renowned Arabic poet and philosopher who lived in Baghdad during the Golden Age of Islamic civilization (circa 950-1050 AD).

Another prominent figure in history with the surname Kaleem was Sheikh Abdul Kaleem, a revered Sufi mystic and spiritual leader who lived in the 12th century in present-day Iran. He was known for his profound teachings on the path of self-realization and inner knowledge.

In the 13th century, the name Kaleem was associated with a prominent family of scholars and religious leaders from the city of Medina, Saudi Arabia. One of the most notable members of this family was Imam Kaleem al-Madani, who was widely respected for his expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and Hadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammad).

During the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over parts of the Middle East and North Africa from the 14th to the 20th century, the surname Kaleem was prevalent among Turkish and Arab families living in the region. One notable figure from this period was Mehmet Kaleem Efendi, a renowned calligrapher and artist who contributed to the preservation and promotion of Islamic calligraphy in the 16th century.

In more recent history, the surname Kaleem has been carried by several influential figures in various fields, including Dr. Aga Shahi Kaleem, a prominent Pakistani philosopher and academic who lived from 1920 to 2002, and Kaleem Siddiqui, a renowned Pakistani writer and poet who was born in 1942 and is known for his contributions to Urdu literature.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

FAQ

Kaleem surname: questions and answers

How common is the Kaleem surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 301 in 2016. That gives Kaleem a modern rank of #14,696.

What does the Kaleem surname mean?

Arabic occupational surname referring to one who speaks, preaches or instructs.

What does the Kaleem map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kaleem bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.