Alima

♀ Girl

Pronounced ə-LEE-mah /əˈli.mɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Arabic alima, 'learned, wise, knowledgeable' (the feminine of Alim); also linked to 'a sea maiden; a skilled dancer/musician'; routes layeredMedium

In 30 seconds: Learned and wise: Alima is Arabic for 'learned, wise'. Soft, graceful, and warm.

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Origin MediumArabic

MeaningFrom Arabic alima, 'learned, wise, knowledgeable' (the feminine of Alim); also linked to 'a sea maiden; a skilled dancer/musician'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#5434 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births23 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2018

Total births (all-time)≈ 477

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

Alima comes from Arabic alima, 'learned, wise, knowledgeable' (the feminine of Alim, from 'ilm, 'knowledge'), and is also linked to 'a sea maiden' or 'a skilled female dancer/musician' (an almah; routes layered, which we note). A soft, graceful name across the Arab world (said 'ə-LEE-mah').

In the U.S. it appears in Muslim families. Rare, learned-and-wise at the root, and graceful.

Did you know? Alima means 'learned, wise, knowledgeable' in Arabic (the feminine of Alim) — and is also linked to 'a sea maiden' or 'a skilled dancer/musician' — a soft, graceful name (the routes are layered, which we note).

Overall data confidence 65%

Arabic references — Alima — routes layered

Variations

AleemaHalima

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Alima…

Halima— a fellow -lima Arabic girls' name

Amina— a fellow Arabic girls' name

Naima— a similarly popular pick

Fatuma— shares Alima's Arabic roots

Muslima— another Arabic name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Alima mean?

Alima is Arabic for 'learned, wise, knowledgeable', and is also linked to 'a sea maiden/musician'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Alima?

It's said ə-LEE-mah /əˈli.mɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Alima a boy or girl name?

Alima is a girl's name.

How popular is Alima?

Alima is a rare name in the U.S.