Kareem Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kuh-REEM //kəˈriːm//
Origin: Arabic
Meaning: Generous; noble
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kareem has its roots in the Arabic language, derived from the word "karīm" (كريم), which means "generous" or "noble." This term has been used in various contexts throughout Arabic literature and culture, often associated with qualities of kindness and hospitality. The name entered English through the influence of Arabic culture and language, particularly during the periods of trade and scholarship in the Middle Ages, as well as through the spread of Islam from the 7th century onward.
Historically, the name Kareem has been borne by notable figures in Islamic history, including various scholars and leaders who exemplified the virtues of generosity and nobility. The name is also mentioned in Islamic texts, where it is often used to describe Allah, emphasizing His attributes of generosity and benevolence.
The significance of the name is further underscored by its appearance in various cultural and religious contexts, including poetry and prose that celebrate the ideals of generosity and honor. Culturally, Kareem resonates with values that are deeply embedded in Arab and Islamic traditions, where hospitality and generosity are considered paramount virtues.
The name has been embraced across different cultures and languages, often retaining its original meaning and significance. In addition, diminutive forms such as "Karim" are also used, reflecting a common practice in Arabic naming conventions to create affectionate or familiar versions of names.
This enduring legacy highlights the name's association with positive traits and its role in cultural identity.
Famous people named Kareem
In this section, you will find notable people named Kareem. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kareem who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kareem who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a former professional basketball player best known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning six NBA championships and being the all-time leading scorer in NBA history.
Kareem Hunt is a professional American football player best known for playing as a running back for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns.
Kareem Elgazzar is a professional photographer best known for his work in sports photography and portraiture.
Fictional characters named Kareem
The following list of fictional characters named Kareem is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a fictional character from the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He is a famous basketball player who makes a guest appearance, providing wisdom and guidance to the main characters.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kareem, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kareem. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kareem was first seen in the United States in 1964.
Kareem has ranked as high as #806 nationally, which occurred in 1980, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, California, New Jersey, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Kareem has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kareem is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kareem was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kareem.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 383 | 383 | 0 |
| 2024 | 405 | 405 | 0 |
| 2023 | 442 | 442 | 0 |
| 2022 | 407 | 407 | 0 |
| 2021 | 382 | 382 | 0 |
| 2020 | 419 | 419 | 0 |
| 2019 | 386 | 386 | 0 |
| 2018 | 347 | 347 | 0 |
| 2017 | 352 | 352 | 0 |
| 2016 | 345 | 345 | 0 |
| 2015 | 334 | 334 | 0 |
| 2014 | 315 | 315 | 0 |
| 2013 | 357 | 352 | 5 |
| 2012 | 311 | 311 | 0 |
| 2011 | 306 | 306 | 0 |
| 2010 | 334 | 334 | 0 |
| 2009 | 314 | 314 | 0 |
| 2008 | 309 | 309 | 0 |
| 2007 | 314 | 314 | 0 |
| 2006 | 303 | 303 | 0 |
| 2005 | 294 | 294 | 0 |
| 2004 | 346 | 346 | 0 |
| 2003 | 299 | 299 | 0 |
| 2002 | 316 | 316 | 0 |
| 2001 | 324 | 324 | 0 |
| 2000 | 308 | 303 | 5 |
| 1999 | 300 | 300 | 0 |
| 1998 | 313 | 313 | 0 |
| 1997 | 295 | 295 | 0 |
| 1996 | 301 | 301 | 0 |
| 1995 | 293 | 293 | 0 |
| 1994 | 363 | 357 | 6 |
| 1993 | 317 | 317 | 0 |
| 1992 | 353 | 348 | 5 |
| 1991 | 332 | 332 | 0 |
| 1990 | 317 | 312 | 5 |
| 1989 | 298 | 298 | 0 |
| 1988 | 289 | 289 | 0 |
| 1987 | 299 | 292 | 7 |
| 1986 | 254 | 254 | 0 |
| 1985 | 284 | 279 | 5 |
| 1984 | 252 | 246 | 6 |
| 1983 | 320 | 313 | 7 |
| 1982 | 319 | 319 | 0 |
| 1981 | 324 | 317 | 7 |
| 1980 | 480 | 459 | 21 |
| 1979 | 372 | 358 | 14 |
| 1978 | 376 | 361 | 15 |
| 1977 | 461 | 449 | 12 |
| 1976 | 394 | 380 | 14 |
| 1975 | 433 | 417 | 16 |
| 1974 | 339 | 326 | 13 |
| 1973 | 254 | 242 | 12 |
| 1972 | 401 | 378 | 23 |
| 1971 | 44 | 44 | 0 |
| 1970 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1967 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1966 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1964 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
Top States for Kareem (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 40 | |
| CA | 38 | |
| MI | 36 | |
| IL | 24 | |
| FL | 24 | |
| VA | 20 | |
| NY | 20 | |
| NJ | 15 | |
| PA | 15 | |
| NC | 14 | |
| IN | 13 | |
| WI | 13 | |
| GA | 13 | |
| OH | 10 | |
| NV | 9 | |
| MD | 9 | |
| AL | 8 | |
| AZ | 7 | |
| TN | 7 | |
| MN | 6 | |
| MS | 6 | |
| MA | 5 | |
| AR | 5 | |
| SC | 5 | |
| MO | 5 |