Akeem
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 6,753 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name from Arabic, variant of Hakim.
Akeem is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, a variant of Hakeem, meaning 'wise' or 'judicious,' from the Arabic hakim. The name gained widespread American visibility through NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, who sometimes went by Akeem early in his career.
Akeem carries both Islamic naming tradition and basketball royalty. It's a name that signals wisdom and excellence — widely used in West African Muslim communities and in the African American community, where it became a strong presence from the 1980s onward.
EtymologyShow more
Akeem first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1972. First appearing in the 1970s, Akeem emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its Arabic classification suggests a path from arabic linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Akeem climbed 381 spots in the last 20 years — from #1857 to #1476.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 646 | #1412 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,159 | #1480 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 722 | #1818 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 2,372 | #857 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 1,796 | #1457 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 58 | #4559 | — |
The Story of Akeem
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1990, Akeem is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Akeem are most likely born between 1980 and 2000.
How rare is Akeem?
Only about 1 in every 29,508 babies born in 2024 was named Akeem — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1972, peaked in the 1990s with 2,372 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Akeem by the numbers
- Would fill 141 school buses
- Meeting one Akeem per day would take 18.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(53 years, 1972–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 122 | #1476 |
| 2023 | 113 | #1547 |
| 2022 | 123 | #1467 |
| 2021 | 143 | #1306 |
| 2020 | 145 | #1262 |
| 2019 | 139 | #1312 |
| 2018 | 147 | #1255 |
| 2017 | 156 | #1191 |
| 2016 | 137 | #1313 |
| 2015 | 116 | #1453 |
| 2014 | 92 | #1670 |
| 2013 | 98 | #1578 |
| 2012 | 105 | #1523 |
| 2011 | 80 | #1796 |
| 2010 | 89 | #1713 |
| 2009 | 96 | #1639 |
| 2008 | 89 | #1708 |
| 2007 | 70 | #1996 |
| 2006 | 85 | #1669 |
| 2005 | 55 | #2182 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Akeem a boy's or girl's name?
When was Akeem most popular?
How popular is the name Akeem?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1972–2024