Akeem

BoyArabic· “wise”

Meaning
wise
Origin
Arabic
Pronunciation
ah-KEEM
Syllables
2
US rank 2025
#2,078
US babies 2025
71
Best rank
#405 (1990)
Peak year
1990

Meaning and origin of Akeem

Akeem is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “wise”.

Akeem is a form of the Arabic name Hakim, usually translated as wise or judicious. Hakim is also one of the traditional names describing God in Islam, al-Hakim, the Wise. The spelling Akeem reflects West African and American pronunciation, where the initial H is often dropped. In the United States, the name is familiar partly through the Eddie Murphy comedy Coming to America, whose hero is Prince Akeem. The name has a strong, confident sound, with the stress on the second syllable. Keem is a casual nickname. Akeem offers a meaningful choice that bridges Arabic, African and American naming traditions.

Popularity over time

020040060080019801990200020102020Peak 1990: 570
US babies named Akeem per year, 1880 to 2025

Akeem first appears in US Social Security records in 1972. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 14 different years, starting in 1983. Its best national rank was #405 in 1990, the same year it reached its highest count of 570 babies. In 2025, 71 babies were named Akeem, and it ranked #2,078 nationally. That is 39% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.

Its national rank moved from #4,143 in 1980, #1,552 in 2000, #1,713 in 2010, and #2,078 in 2025. Of the 6,825 US boys named Akeem since records began, 35% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 1,796 babies. Since 2010, 1,877 more have been named Akeem.

Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Derick, Alfonso, Stephan, Jamar, and Kory.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Akeem ranked highest in Georgia, Florida, and New York.

StateRank thereBabies
Georgia#9918
Florida#112711
New York#14217
California#20037
Texas#25875

Gender, sound and spelling

In the US it is used almost only for boys.

Akeem is usually pronounced ah-KEEM, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with A and ends in “-em”.

Middle names for Akeem

A few middle names that flow with Akeem: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
James Boy
JAYMZ
“holder of the heel, supplanter” · English
#6
John Boy
JAHN
“Yahweh is gracious” · Hebrew
#23
Leo Boy
LEE-oh
“lion” · Latin
#19
Rowan Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; rowan tree” · Irish
#59

Sibling names for Akeem

Similar names

Kareem Boy
kuh-REEM
“generous, noble” · Arabic
#702
Saleem Boy
sah-LEEM
“safe, sound” · Arabic
#2,533
Salem Unisex
SAY-luhm
“peace” · Hebrew
#436
Naeem Boy
nah-EEM
“comfort, bliss, blessing” · Arabic
#2,325
Aden Boy
AY-duhn
“little fire” · Irish
#1,008
Jamal Boy
juh-MAHL
“beauty” · Arabic
#1,197
Iman Unisex
ee-MAHN
“faith” · Arabic
#2,072
Yasir Boy
YAH-seer
“wealthy; easy” · Arabic
#1,158
Tariq Boy
tah-REEK
“night visitor; morning star” · Arabic
#1,599
Abdul Boy
ab-DOOL
“servant of; used with a name of God” · Arabic
#1,867
Jaleel Boy
juh-LEEL
“majestic, great” · Arabic
#1,983
Taha Boy
TAH-hah
“opening letters of a Quran chapter” · Arabic
#1,598

Lists that include Akeem

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Akeem mean?

Akeem is an Arabic name that is usually said to mean “wise”.

What is the origin of the name Akeem?

Akeem has Arabic roots. Akeem is a form of the Arabic name Hakim, usually translated as wise or judicious.

Is Akeem a popular name?

Not especially. Akeem ranked #2,078 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.

Is Akeem a boy or girl name?

Akeem is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.

How do you pronounce Akeem?

Akeem is usually pronounced ah-KEEM. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.

Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings