Alim

♂ Boy

Pronounced ah-LEEM /ɑˈliːm/High

Meaning: Knowledgeable, learned, all-knowingHigh

In 30 seconds: Alim is an Arabic name meaning 'knowledgeable' and 'learned.' As one of the 99 names of Allah (Al-Alim, the All-Knowing), it carries deep Islamic significance and is widely used by Muslim families worldwide.

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Origin HighArabic

MeaningKnowledgeable, learned, all-knowing

U.S. rank (2025)#3954 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births27 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 840

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Alim (عليم) derives from the Arabic root '-l-m (علم), meaning to know. The root gives rise to a rich family of words including ilm (knowledge), alim (scholar), and Alam (world/universe). As a name it has been used since the early Islamic period for men of learning and scholarship.

Across the Muslim world, alim (plural: ulama) is also the term for a learned Islamic scholar — giving the name both a personal and a societal dimension. Parents choosing Alim for their son express hopes for wisdom, learning, and faith. The name is common from West Africa to Southeast Asia.

Did you know? Al-Alim (العليم) — the All-Knowing — is one of the 99 names of God in Islam, appearing in the Quran over 150 times. Naming a child Alim is thus a way of expressing aspiration toward divine wisdom and knowledge.

Overall data confidence 95%

Lane's Arabic-English Lexicon — Root '-l-m and meaning of alimQuran — Al-Alim as divine name — Usage in Islamic scripture and tradition

Variations

AleemAalimHalim

Nicknames

AliAl

Famous Bearers

★Alim Qasimov (1957–present)
Azerbaijani mugham vocalist regarded as one of the foremost masters of the traditional Azerbaijani mugham musical form.

If you like Alim…

Hakim— Arabic name meaning wise or physician, similar learned quality

Kareem— Arabic name meaning generous, similar Islamic cultural context

Asim— shares the -im ending

Naim— shares the -im ending

Tamim— a fellow Arabic choice

Explore names like Alim

By themearabic muslim islamic quranic knowledge

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Alim mean?

Alim means 'knowledgeable,' 'learned,' and 'all-knowing' in Arabic, derived from the root '-l-m meaning to know.

How do you pronounce Alim?

Alim is pronounced ah-LEEM, with stress on the second syllable.

Is Alim a boy or girl name?

Alim is a boy's name; the feminine form is Alima.

How popular is Alim?

Alim is widely used across the Muslim world, from the Arab countries and Turkey to South Asia and West Africa.