"generous, noble, honorable"
Origin: Arabic
Language: English
Kareem
Pronunciation: [ k-er-EEM ]
Does Kareem flow with your last name?
A name of divine generosity rooted in Islamic tradition
Arabic
Muslim
Egyptian
Lebanese
American
Strong
Spiritual
Elegant
Classic
Sophisticated
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Meaning & Origin
"abundant, bountiful"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
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The Story of Kareem
Kareem derives from the Arabic كريم (Karīm), meaning generous, noble, or honorable. It is one of the 99 names of Allah in Islam — Al-Kareem (الكريم) meaning 'The Most Generous.' This divine attribute gives the name profound religious significance across the Muslim world. The name has been borne by scholars, poets, and rulers throughout Islamic history.
Kareem gained visibility in the United States largely through basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (born Lew Alcindor), who converted to Islam in 1971. The name remains popular in Arab-majority countries and within Muslim communities worldwide.
Al-Kareem is one of the most beloved of Allah's names in Islamic theology, representing divine generosity and bounty. Naming a child Kareem is an aspiration — parents hope the child will embody these qualities. The name is particularly common in Egypt, Lebanon, and Morocco.
Historical Record
Kareem first appeared in US Social Security records in 1964.
Over 17,776 babies have been named Kareem in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kareem is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #676 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history with 38,387 points
- Al-Kareem is one of the 99 Names of Allah in Islamic theology
- The feminine form Karima is equally popular in Arabic-speaking countries
Kareem in Other Languages
Urdu
کریم
Arabic
كريم
French
Karim
Persian
کریم
Turkish
Kerim
Popularity Over Time
#676
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kareem
K
K
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #676
- Total SSA Count
- 403
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Muslim Egyptian Lebanese American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Kari
Reem
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kareem
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Kareem is also used as a girl name, ranked #61851.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kareem
What does the name Kareem mean?
"generous, noble, honorable" (from Arabic). "abundant, bountiful" (from Arabic). Kareem derives from the Arabic كريم (Karīm), meaning generous, noble, or honorable. It is one of the 99 names of Allah in Islam — Al-Kareem (الكريم) meaning 'The Most Generous.' This divine attribute gives the name profound religious significance across the Muslim world. The name has been borne by scholars, poets, and rulers throughout Islamic history.
What is the origin of the name Kareem?
Kareem has Arabic, Muslim, Egyptian, Lebanese, and American origins. In Arabic, it means "generous, noble, honorable". In Arabic, it means "abundant, bountiful".
Is Kareem a boy or girl name?
Kareem is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #676. As a girl name, it is ranked #61851. Kareem is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Kareem?
Kareem is pronounced k-er-EEM.
How popular is the name Kareem?
Kareem is currently ranked #676 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kareem?
Common nicknames for Kareem include Kari and Reem.
What are good middle names for Kareem?
Popular middle name pairings include Kareem Hassan, Kareem Ali, Kareem Muhammad, Kareem Abdul, Kareem James, Kareem Malik, and Kareem Jamal.
What are good sibling names for Kareem?
Names that pair well with Kareem as siblings include Jamal, Tariq, Yasmine, Nadia, Omar, Layla, and Amir.
How many syllables does Kareem have?
Kareem has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kareem a common or rare name?
Kareem is moderately common, ranked #676 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Kareem
Kareem is a boy name with Arabic, Muslim, Egyptian, Lebanese, and American origins . The name means "generous, noble, honorable" in Arabic .
Is Kareem a boy or girl name? Kareem is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #676 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #61,851. Kareem is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kareem is currently ranked #676 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kareem has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-er-EEM, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kareem include Kari and Reem. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis