Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Karim
BoyArabic· “generous, noble”
- Meaning
- generous, noble
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- kuh-REEM
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,084
- US babies 2025
- 198
- Best rank
- #707 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Karim
Karim is an Arabic name that means “generous, noble”.
Karim is an Arabic name meaning generous or noble. Al-Karim, the Generous, is one of the ninety-nine names of God in Islam, and the name is widely used across the Muslim world. Karim also appears in Persian, Turkish and South Asian communities. It has a warm, strong sound, with stress on the second syllable. Well-known bearers include the Aga Khan IV, Prince Karim, and basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whose name is a related form. Karim feels dignified and friendly.
Other spellings with the same sound: Kareem.
Popularity over time
Karim first appears in US Social Security records in 1957. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 9 different years, starting in 1975. Its best national rank was #707 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 376 babies. In 2025, 198 babies were named Karim, and it ranked #1,084 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,041 in 1980, #1,377 in 2000, #1,181 in 2010, and #1,084 in 2025. Of the 6,886 US boys named Karim since records began, 26% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,613 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Enoch, Forest, Loyal, Izan, and Zamir.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Karim ranked highest in Illinois, New Jersey, and Arizona.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #733 | 12 |
| New Jersey | #734 | 9 |
| Arizona | #816 | 7 |
| California | #871 | 27 |
| Michigan | #873 | 8 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Karim is usually pronounced kuh-REEM, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with K and ends in “-im”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Kareem.
Middle names for Karim
A few middle names that flow with Karim: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Karim
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Lists that include Karim
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Karim mean?
Karim is an Arabic name that means “generous, noble”.
What is the origin of the name Karim?
Karim has Arabic roots. Karim is an Arabic name meaning generous or noble.
Is Karim a popular name?
Not especially. Karim ranked #1,084 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Karim a boy or girl name?
Karim is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Karim?
Karim is usually pronounced kuh-REEM. 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