Karim

♂ Boy

Pronounced kuh-REEM /kəˈriːm/High

Meaning: Generous, noble, honorable; from Arabic karim (generous, noble, kind)High

In 30 seconds: An Arabic name meaning 'generous' or 'noble,' Al-Karim (The Generous) is one of the 99 names of God in Islam. A name of profound spiritual significance in the Islamic world, widely used from Morocco to Indonesia.

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Origin HighArabic

MeaningGenerous, noble, honorable; from Arabic karim (generous, noble, kind)

U.S. rank (2025)#1084 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births198 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 6,886

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Karim derives from Arabic karim (generous, noble, bountiful, honorable). The same root gives karam (generosity) and ikram (honor, respect). Al-Karim is one of Allah's 99 attributes in Islam.

Karim is widely used across the Arab world and Muslim communities globally. In the U.S. it ranked #819 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Al-Karim (The Generous, The Bountiful) is one of the 99 Names of Allah in Islamic tradition — making Karim a name that directly reflects one of the divine attributes, giving it immense spiritual weight across the Muslim world.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Karim — Arabic etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

KareemKarime

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1947–present)
American basketball player, six-time NBA MVP and six-time champion. Born Lew Alcindor, he converted to Islam in 1971 and adopted the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

If you like Karim…

Kareem— the double-e spelling of the same Arabic name

Rahim— Arabic name (merciful) with the same single-syllable -im ending

Khalil— Arabic name (friend) with the same two-syllable Arabic feel

Omar— Arabic name with the same dignified two-syllable Arabic quality

Hassan— Arabic name meaning good, in the same Islamic naming tradition

Explore names like Karim

By themearabic two-syllable islamic generous

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Karim mean?

Karim means 'generous,' 'noble,' and 'honorable' in Arabic. Al-Karim (The Generous) is one of the 99 Names of Allah in Islam.

How do you pronounce Karim?

It's said kuh-REEM — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Karim a boy or girl name?

Karim is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Karim?

Karim ranked #819 for U.S. boys in 2024.