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Alim

โ™‚ Boy

Pronounced ah-LEEM /ษ‘หˆliหm/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 (2024)#3038 โ†— Rising
2024 U.S. births40 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)โ‰ˆ 813

Popularity in the U.S. ยท SSA data

peak 202419702024

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

History & Origin

Alim (ุนู„ูŠู…) derives from the Arabic root '-l-m (ุนู„ู…), 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 โ€” 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 (ุงู„ุนู„ูŠู…) โ€” the All-Knowing โ€” 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 โ€” Root '-l-m and meaning of alimQuran โ€” Al-Alim as divine name โ€” Usage in Islamic scripture and tradition

Variations

AleemAalimHalim

Nicknames

AliAl

Famous Bearers

  • โ˜…Alim Qasimov (1957โ€“present)
    Azerbaijani mugham vocalist regarded as one of the foremost masters of the traditional Azerbaijani mugham musical form.

If you like Alimโ€ฆ

Halimโ€” Arabic name from the 99 divine names meaning 'forbearing'
Hakimโ€” Arabic name meaning wise or physician, similar learned quality
Kareemโ€” Arabic name meaning generous, similar Islamic cultural context

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.