Kareem
كَرِيمKareem is a boy name of Arabic origin.
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Meaning of Kareem
"Generous, noble, honored." Al-Karīm is one of the 99 Names of Allah ("the Most Generous"). Used in the Qur'an to describe the Book itself (Al-Qur'an al-Karīm, "the Noble Qur'an").
Arabic root: k-r-m — (ك-ر-م, generosity, nobility)
Regional variants
"Kareem" is the standard US spelling, popularized by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. "Karim" is more common in North African families.
Popularity of Kareem
17,373 U.S. births recorded from 1964–2023.
Divine attribute
Karīm
Karīm means generous, noble, honorable. Al-Karīm is a Name of Allah describing His boundless generosity — giving before being asked, forgiving before being petitioned.
From the Qur’an
"‘…And whoever is grateful, his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful, then indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous.’"
"O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous?"
Sometimes used as a standalone name; also seen in compound names like ʿAbd al-Karīm (servant of the Generous).
Variants & nicknames
Related guide
Arabic Names That Work in English Without Explanation
25 Arabic names that American teachers, doctors, and neighbors pronounce correctly on the first try. For families who want heritage without the daily spelling bee.
Read the full guide →1234567891 (fluid)
Famous people named Kareem
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (NBA legend)
- Kareem Hunt (NFL)
Similar names
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About this page
Popularity counts come from the U.S. Social Security Administration's national dataset. Meaning and cultural context drawn from classical sources: Lisan al-Arab, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Qur'an and Sunnah. If you spot an error, please let us know.