Najm
A boy's name of Arabic origin with 67 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
If you're considering Najm, you're looking at a name that fewer than 67 families have ever chosen in the U.S. That kind of rarity is intentional — it signals that the name was chosen for its sound, its personal meaning, or a family connection rather than a trend.
The sharp, distinct ending gives Najm a direct, strong feel that works well in both playground and boardroom.
In the most recent SSA release, Najm ranks #9567 among U.S. boy names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Najm is a boy's baby name of Arabic origin, from the Arabic najm, meaning 'star.' The Quran opens its 53rd chapter — Surah An-Najm — with the invocation of the star, and the word najm is one of the most evocative in the Arabic language, connecting the individual to the celestial. Used in Arab, Persian, and Muslim communities as a name of cosmic beauty and divine connection.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Najm is a boy's name with several decades of recorded use (1993–2024). Its Arabic roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Najm is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #9567), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Najm climbed 1342 spots in the last 20 years — from #10909 to #9567.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 22 | #10282 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 17 | #12494 | — |
| 2000s | 18 | #11137 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 10 | #10250 | — |
The Story of Najm
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2022, Najm is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Najm are most likely born between 2012 and 2024.
How rare is Najm?
Only about 1 in every 450,000 babies born in 2024 was named Najm — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1993, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 2020s with 22 births that decade.
Najm by the numbers
- Would fill 1 school bus
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(11 years, 1993–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 | #9567 |
| 2022 | 8 | #9572 |
| 2021 | 6 | #11706 |
| 2018 | 7 | #10398 |
| 2017 | 5 | #13646 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13439 |
| 2006 | 5 | #13407 |
| 2004 | 6 | #10909 |
| 2002 | 7 | #9096 |
| 1998 | 5 | #10787 |
| 1993 | 5 | #9712 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1993–2024