Rising since 1987, #3,949 for boys today.
Popularity of Alim since 1970
Babies named Alim per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 59 |
| 1980s | 58 |
| 1990s | 122 |
| 2000s | 183 |
| 2010s | 243 |
| 2020s | 175 |
Meaning & origin
Alim first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1970 and has been steadily rising in usage since 1987. As of 2025, it ranks 3949, with a incidence of one in 63262 newborns. The name reached its highest popularity in 2024, likely reflecting broader interest in Arabic-origin names. Alim is most common in Illinois and New York, states with significant Arab American communities. Its meaning, 'learned' or 'the All-Knowing,' carries strong religious and intellectual connotations for Muslim families.
Alim derives from the Arabic root 'alima, meaning 'to know.' It is used as a personal name and as one of the divine attributes (al-Alim, 'the All-Knowing') in Islam. The name has been borne across the Arabic-speaking world and Muslim communities globally, often chosen for its religious significance.
Where Alim is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Alim” around the world
Where Alim lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ali
Variants: Aleem, Alimuddin
Sibling names for Alim
Names that share Alim's style, for a brother or sister.
