Besim is of Albanian origin, derived from the Turkish 'Beşim', which means 'fifth'. It is traditionally given to a child born fifth in the family. The name has gained popularity beyond Albania and Turkey, appearing among other Slavic and Mediterranean cultures.
The name Besim experienced a significant spike in popularity between the years 1982 and 2002, with a total of 32 children bearing this name being born during this period. The highest point of popularity was reached in 2002, with eight births recorded that year.