Karima Girl

Popularity: #934 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: kah-REE-mah //kəˈriː.mə//

Origin: Arabic; Swahili

Meaning: Arabic: Generous; Swahili: One who is generous

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Karima has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "karīm," which means "generous" or "noble." This term has been used in various forms throughout the Arabic-speaking world and is often associated with positive attributes such as kindness and benevolence. The name Karima can be traced back to the early Islamic period, where it was used to denote women of high moral character and generosity, reflecting the cultural values of the time.

The name has also been linked to the Quran, where the concept of generosity is highly esteemed, further embedding its significance in Islamic culture. Historically, the name Karima has been borne by various notable figures in Islamic history, including scholars and poets who contributed to the rich tapestry of Arabic literature.

During the medieval period, the name became more widely recognized as Islamic culture flourished, particularly in regions such as North Africa and the Middle East. The spread of Islam in the 7th century played a crucial role in the dissemination of Arabic names, including Karima, across diverse cultures and languages, leading to its adoption in various forms in different regions.

Culturally, the name Karima resonates with themes of generosity and nobility, which are highly valued in many societies. It is often associated with the virtues of hospitality and kindness, qualities that are celebrated in both familial and communal contexts.

The name may also have diminutive forms or variations, such as Karam, which carry similar meanings and are used in various cultural settings. Overall, the enduring appeal of the name Karima can be attributed to its positive connotations and the cultural significance it holds within Islamic tradition.

Famous people named Karima

In this section, you will find notable people named Karima. 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 Karima who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Karima 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.

Karima Adebibe is a model best known for being the face of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider franchise.

Karima El Mahroug is an Italian dancer and television personality best known for her appearances on Italian reality shows.

Karima Brown is a journalist and media personality best known for her work in South African broadcasting and commentary.

Fictional characters named Karima

The following list of fictional characters named Karima 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.

Karima is a fictional character from the comic book series X-Men. She is a mutant with the ability to manipulate energy and is known as the superheroine known as Prism.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Karima, 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 Karima. 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 Karima was first seen in the United States in 1967.

Karima has ranked as high as #2752 nationally, which occurred in 1979, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California, and Georgia.

In the past 5 years the name Karima has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Karima 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 Karima 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 Karima.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 14 14
2024 10 10
2023 13 13
2022 12 12
2021 14 14
2020 18 18
2019 14 14
2018 13 13
2017 16 16
2016 15 15
2015 11 11
2014 19 19
2013 16 16
2012 18 18
2011 13 13
2010 22 22
2009 16 16
2008 14 14
2007 17 17
2006 20 20
2005 22 22
2004 25 25
2003 34 34
2002 25 25
2001 23 23
2000 21 21
1999 27 27
1998 24 24
1997 21 21
1996 25 25
1995 38 38
1994 38 38
1993 30 30
1992 34 34
1991 42 42
1990 45 45
1989 37 37
1988 21 21
1987 29 29
1986 19 19
1985 18 18
1984 36 36
1983 28 28
1982 33 33
1981 31 31
1980 41 41
1979 63 63
1978 46 46
1977 47 47
1976 60 60
1975 41 41
1974 42 42
1973 33 33
1972 35 35
1971 14 14
1970 8 8
1969 5 5
1967 8 8

Top States for Karima (2012)

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
CA 5
100%