Declining since 2016, #6,838 for girls today.
Popularity of Basma since 1980
Babies named Basma per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 16 |
| 1990s | 56 |
| 2000s | 90 |
| 2010s | 194 |
| 2020s | 110 |
Meaning & origin
Basma is an Arabic name meaning 'smile', a direct and uplifting word name with a long history of use in Arabic-speaking communities. In the United States, the name first appeared on the Social Security records in 1980, and it reached its peak popularity in 2017, though it has been declining since 2016. As of 2025, it ranks 6838, given to roughly 1 in every 100,454 newborn girls. While its usage is still relatively rare, Basma's positive meaning and simple elegance have given it steady, if modest, appeal among families seeking a name with cultural depth and a joyful sentiment. Its top states of usage are not concentrated, suggesting a broad but light distribution across the country.
Basma is a feminine name of Arabic origin, directly derived from the Arabic word 'basma' (بَسْمَة) meaning 'smile'. It is a common given name across the Arabic-speaking world, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East, and is often chosen for its positive connotation of joy and beauty.
“Basma” around the world
Where Basma lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
55
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Basi, Bas
Sibling names for Basma
Names that share Basma's style, for a brother or sister.
