Fun Facts About the Name Iram
- More than 1 thousand babies named Iram: U.S. records list 1,019 babies given the name Iram from 1880 through 2025. Even 102 girls received the name Iram - about 1 girl for every 9 boys.
What Does the Name Iram Mean?
Iram is a name with two distinct backgrounds. The Hebrew Iram (עִירָם) is often explained as meaning "city-wise" or "belonging to a city," from the Hebrew word ir (עִיר), "city." The exact formation is not certain, and the Bible does not define the name. In the Hebrew Bible, Iram is an Edomite chief, a descendant of Esau.
The Arabic Iram (إرَم) is a proper noun from the Quran, where it names "Iram of the pillars" (Iram dhāt al-ʿimād), a city or people associated with the tribe of ʿAd. Because it is a place name rather than a common word, its literal meaning is uncertain. Later tradition and many name dictionaries interpret it as "garden of paradise" or "heaven," a symbolic reading based on the legendary splendor of Iram. In Turkish, the related form İrem is a common female name with that traditional meaning.
Iram Name History & Origins
The Hebrew Bible includes Iram among the chiefs of Edom. Genesis 36:43 and 1 Chronicles 1:54 list him as a descendant of Esau, in the genealogical records of Edom. The Hebrew form is עִירָם. The text gives no story about him, and the name is not explained. English translations have kept the name as Iram, and it has been used occasionally as a male given name in English-speaking countries.
In Arabic, Iram (إرَم) appears in the Quran. Surah al-Fajr (89:6 - 8) refers to "Iram, possessors of lofty buildings" or "Iram of the pillars," connected with the people of ʿAd. The Quran says that its like was not created in the lands. Islamic tradition elaborates on Iram as a magnificent city that was destroyed for its people's arrogance. The name's literal Arabic meaning is not clear; it functions as a proper noun. Iram is used as a given name in Arabic-, Persian-, and Urdu-speaking regions. In Turkish, the form İrem is a common female name, traditionally glossed as "garden of paradise" or "heaven." The Hebrew and Arabic names are similar in form, but they belong to separate scriptural traditions and are not necessarily related.
How Popular is the Name Iram?
Iram has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2024. Its best rank was #2,875 in 2003.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | #17,248 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2010 | #15,704 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2005 | #15,216 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2004 | #17,122 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2002 | #16,425 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #16,292 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #11,843 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1998 | #11,602 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1997 | #12,671 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | #14,231 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1993 | #12,359 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #14,077 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #13,793 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #10,338 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1986 | #8,879 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1985 | #11,284 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #9,456 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1979 | #10,774 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #5,962 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 2024 | #3,172 | 38 | 0.0022% |
| 2023 | #4,260 | 25 | 0.0015% |
| 2022 | #3,926 | 28 | 0.0016% |
| 2021 | #4,421 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 2020 | #4,468 | 22 | 0.0013% |
| 2019 | #3,445 | 33 | 0.0018% |
| 2018 | #3,740 | 29 | 0.0016% |
| 2017 | #4,817 | 20 | 0.0011% |
| 2016 | #4,140 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 2015 | #3,265 | 35 | 0.0018% |
| 2014 | #3,834 | 27 | 0.0014% |
| 2013 | #4,112 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2012 | #4,448 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 2011 | #5,518 | 16 | 0.0008% |
| 2010 | #3,749 | 28 | 0.0015% |
| 2009 | #3,591 | 30 | 0.0015% |
| 2008 | #4,185 | 24 | 0.0012% |
| 2007 | #3,936 | 26 | 0.0013% |
| 2006 | #3,109 | 35 | 0.0017% |
| 2005 | #3,561 | 27 | 0.0014% |
| 2004 | #4,177 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 2003 | #2,875 | 34 | 0.0017% |
| 2002 | #3,492 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 2001 | #3,018 | 30 | 0.0015% |
| 2000 | #3,358 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 1999 | #3,310 | 24 | 0.0012% |
| 1998 | #3,230 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 1997 | #3,293 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 1996 | #4,262 | 15 | 0.0008% |
| 1995 | #4,912 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1994 | #7,267 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1993 | #4,550 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1992 | #4,676 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1991 | #6,164 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1990 | #4,513 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1989 | #8,392 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1987 | #7,415 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1986 | #5,572 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1985 | #4,872 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1981 | #5,792 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1980 | #5,164 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1979 | #6,444 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1978 | #5,345 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1977 | #4,803 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1976 | #4,171 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1975 | #5,059 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1974 | #5,542 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1970 | #4,457 | 6 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Iram Shapes Your Personality and Life?
Your tendency is to finish whatever you start. You like to use the pen or the needle (writing, fashion design etc). You are loving, compassionate, intuitive and humanitarian. Runs of luck, either good or bad, follow you. You are sympathetic, but at times might be touchy and oversensitive. You may have a gift for writing. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Iram's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Iram's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.