Declining since 2002, #5,208 for boys today.
Popularity of Jakeem since 1980
Babies named Jakeem per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 41 |
| 1990s | 273 |
| 2000s | 363 |
| 2010s | 319 |
| 2020s | 164 |
Meaning & origin
Jakeem is a modern American coinage that emerged in the 1980s and saw its peak popularity in 2002, when it ranked highest. Since then, its usage has steadily declined, reflecting a broader shift away from invented or respelled names. As of 2025, it remains in use, with approximately 1 in every 94,893 boys receiving the name. The name's origins are uncertain but likely draw from the Arabic name Hakim or the Hebrew Jachin. Its creative spelling and rhythmic sound align with naming trends of the late 20th century, where parents sought distinctive yet approachable names.
The name Jakeem is likely a variant or respelling of the Arabic name Hakim, meaning 'wise' or 'judicious,' or alternatively a form of the Hebrew name Jachin or Yachin, meaning 'God establishes.' The modern spelling can also be seen as a creative variation of Keem or a blend of Jay and Keem. Its use in the United States dates to at least 1980, with a peak in the early 2000s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jake, Keem
Sibling names for Jakeem
Names that share Jakeem's style, for a brother or sister.
