Karim
Karim is a Muslim boy name meaning “Generous, noble”.
| Meaning | Generous, noble |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Arabic |
| Arabic spelling | كريم |
| Pronunciation | ka-REEM |
| Arabic root | ك ر م (k-r-m) — to be generous, noble |
| Muslim name? | Islamic / Arabic name |
Meaning and origin of Karim
Karim comes from the root k-r-m, which joins nobility, honour and generosity into one idea: a karīm person is generous because they are noble, and honoured because they are generous. The word is also used of valuable things, and the Quran describes itself as qurʾān karīm, a noble recitation. Al-Karīm, 'the Most Generous', is one of the ninety-nine names of God, but karīm is equally an ordinary adjective for people, which is why Karim can be used on its own as well as in ʿAbd al-Karīm.
Karim is one of the most widely used Arabic boys' names and is found from Morocco to Indonesia. It is pronounced ka-REEM; Kareem is the usual English spelling of the same sound, Kerim is the Turkish form, and in French-speaking North Africa it is generally written Karim. The feminine is Karima. In South Asia the full form Abdul Karim is common. It appears in the Quran in the verse 'O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous?' (Quran 82:6). Well-known bearers include the footballer Karim Benzema and Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
Famous people named Karim
- Karim Benzema — French footballer and Ballon d'Or winner
- Karim Aga Khan IV — imam of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — American basketball player and NBA all-time great
Is Karim a Muslim name?
Yes. Karim is a classic Muslim name; its meaning reflects al-Karim, the Most Generous, a name of God.
Is Karim in the Quran?
It appears in 'O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous?' (Quran 82:6).
Where is the name Karim used?
Common across the Arab world, North Africa, South Asia and among Muslims worldwide.
Gifts with the name Karim
- Karim name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Karim baby gifts (Amazon)
- Islamic baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Karim
More boy names like Karim
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Karim mean?
Karim means 'Generous, noble'. It comes from Arabic.
Is Karim a Muslim name?
Yes. Karim is a classic Muslim name; its meaning reflects al-Karim, the Most Generous, a name of God.
How do you write Karim in Arabic?
Karim is written كريم in Arabic script.
How do you pronounce Karim?
Karim is pronounced ka-REEM.
Is Karim mentioned in the Quran?
It appears in 'O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous?' (Quran 82:6).
Is Karim one of the names of Allah?
Yes. Al-Karim, the Most Generous, is one of the ninety-nine names of God. Karim is also an ordinary word for a generous person, so it can be used as a name on its own.
What is the female version of Karim?
The feminine form is Karima (Kareema).