The nameKarim

Karim is an Arabic boy's name meaning "generous, noble".

Boy's name
Arabic

Meaning

Karim comes from the Arabic karim, "generous, noble". Al-Karim is one of the names of God in Islam.

Origin

Arabic.

History

In England and Wales Karim reached 480th in 2000. Karim Benzema made it famous in football.

Famous people named Karim

Karim Benzema, footballer
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV

Popularity of the name Karim

Karim in the United States

817thmost popular boys' name in the United States in 2024

2023peak year (376 births)

6,746babies named Karim in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Karim was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 1,776 births over the decade, 26% of all recorded babies named Karim. Its rise began around 1972, and it peaked in 2023. Half of all babies named Karim in the United States were born before 2008, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 283 births a year on average, against 196 in the five years before.

Karim in the United Kingdom

613thmost popular boys' name in the United Kingdom in 2025

2022peak year (78 births)

1,311babies named Karim in the United Kingdom since 1997

Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Karim was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 442 births over the decade, 34% of all recorded babies named Karim. Half of all babies named Karim in the United Kingdom were born before 2014, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 69 births a year on average, against 43 in the five years before.

Karim in France

453rdmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures

1981peak year (1,520 births)

39,290babies named Karim in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Karim in Belgium

568thmost popular boys' name in Belgium in 2025

1996peak year (37 births)

758babies named Karim in Belgium since 1995

Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Karim in Switzerland

682ndmost popular boys' name in Switzerland in 2025

2000peak year (38 births)

535babies named Karim in Switzerland since 2000

Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Karim in Austria

315thmost popular boys' name in Austria in 2025

1992peak year (28 births)

700babies named Karim in Austria since 1984

Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Variants and related names

Karima

Sibling names for Karim

Names from the same generation as Karim, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Karim? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Karim in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Karim mean?

Karim comes from the Arabic karim, "generous, noble". Al-Karim is one of the names of God in Islam.

What is the origin of the name Karim?

Arabic.

Is Karim a girl's or a boy's name?

Karim is a boy's name.

How popular is the name Karim?

In 2024, Karim was the 817th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 305 births.

What are the variants of the name Karim?

Variants and related names of Karim include Karima.

What are good sibling names for Karim?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Aya, Khadija, Zainab and Noor for a sister, Samir, Ayman, Hamza and Hassan for a brother.

Who are famous people named Karim?

Karim Benzema, footballer; Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.