Find out how popular the first name Kareem has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kareem by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kareem is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Kareem being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 441 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kareem.

The history of the first name Kareem

Kareem is a male given name of Arabic origin, derived from the root word "karīm" which means "noble" or "generous." The name traces its roots back to the Arabian Peninsula and has been in use among Arab communities for centuries.

The earliest record of the name Kareem appears in Islamic literature, particularly the Quran, where it is mentioned as one of the attributes of God. In Arabic calligraphy and poetry, the word "kareem" is often used to describe someone of high moral character and virtue.

One of the earliest known individuals to bear the name Kareem was Kareem ibn Abi Qarrah, a 7th-century Arab poet and warrior from the Banu Kilab tribe. His poems and exploits were widely celebrated during his lifetime and have been preserved in various anthologies of Arabic literature.

Another notable figure in history with the name Kareem was Al-Kareem al-Ustadh, a renowned 10th-century calligrapher and scholar from Baghdad. His works are considered masterpieces of Arabic calligraphy and are housed in various museums and collections around the world.

In the 12th century, Kareem al-Din al-Harawi was a prominent Persian poet and mystic who made significant contributions to the development of Sufi literature. His poetic works, such as the "Anwar-i Suhaily," are still widely studied and appreciated in Persian-speaking regions.

During the Ottoman Empire, Kareem Pasha was a prominent military leader and statesman who served as the Grand Vizier (prime minister) from 1833 to 1839. He played a crucial role in implementing various reforms and modernizing the Ottoman military and administrative systems.

In more recent times, one of the most famous individuals with the name Kareem was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the legendary American basketball player. Born in 1947, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA and held the record for the most career points scored until 2022.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kareem was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kareem, please contact us.

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