Naseem
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "gentle breeze".
Name Census estimates that about 1,488 living Americans carry the first name Naseem. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 83.2% of registrations being male. The average person named Naseem today is around 21 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Naseem births was 2000 (109 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Naseem. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Naseem was once a predominantly female name but has become increasingly popular for boys in recent decades.
People living today
1.5K
~ 1 in 230,346 Americans
Peak year
2000
109 babies that year
Average age
21
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,023
Tracked since 1975
Gender
Gender distribution for Naseem
Naseem leans heavily male at 83.2% of total registrations, but 255 girls have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Naseem as a male name
- Ranked #3,023 in 2024
- 41 male births in 2024
- Peak: 2000 (99 births)
Naseem as a female name
- Ranked #16,905 in 2024
- 5 female births in 2024
- Peak: 1984 (12 births)
Popularity
Naseem: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Naseem from the 1970s through to the 2020s, spanning 6 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 581 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2000s peak, Naseem remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Naseem by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Naseem during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Naseems live
The SSA's state-level files cover 11 states and territories. New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey recorded the most babies named Naseem, while Maryland, Illinois, Georgia recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 50 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Naseem
The name Naseem has its origins in the Arabic language, deriving from the word "nasim," which means "gentle breeze" or "zephyr." It is a name that evokes a sense of tranquility and serenity, capturing the essence of a refreshing and soothing wind. This name has been in use for centuries within the Arab world and Islamic cultures.
Historically, the name Naseem can be traced back to the 7th century CE, as it is mentioned in various Arabic literary works and poetic compositions from that era. Its association with the concept of a gentle breeze made it a popular choice for naming children, reflecting a desire for calmness and peace.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Naseem can be found in the works of the renowned Arab poet Al-Mutanabbi, who lived in the 10th century CE. He used the name in his verses, celebrating its melodic quality and symbolic significance.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Naseem. One such person was Naseem Hijazi (1905-1973), an esteemed Egyptian actor and director who left an indelible mark on the golden age of Egyptian cinema. His performances and contributions to the art form have been celebrated and remembered fondly.
Another prominent figure was Naseem Hamed (born 1974), a British former professional boxer of Yemeni descent. Known for his flamboyant style and exceptional skills in the ring, he held multiple world titles and was considered one of the greatest featherweight boxers of his era.
In the realm of literature, Naseem Basree (born 1949) is a renowned Pakistani writer and poet who has received numerous accolades for her works, which explore themes of identity, culture, and the human experience. Her poetic compositions have resonated with readers across the globe.
The name Naseem has also been carried by influential figures in the field of science and technology. One such individual is Naseem Rakha (born 1963), a British-Pakistani computer scientist and entrepreneur. She has made significant contributions to the development of mobile and internet technologies and has been recognized for her innovative work.
It is worth noting that while the name Naseem has its roots in the Arabic language, it has transcended cultural boundaries and has been embraced by people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, particularly in regions with significant Muslim populations or influences from Islamic cultures.
People
Naseem + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Naseem as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with N
Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Naseem: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Naseem?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,488 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Naseem going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 230,346 US residents.
Is Naseem a common name?
We classify Naseem as "Rare". It ranks above 92.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,516 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Naseem most popular?
The single biggest year for Naseem was 2000, when 109 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Naseem is about 21 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Naseem a male name?
Yes, 83.2% of people registered as Naseem in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.